Resolution on the Appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Working Group of Indigenous Populations/Communities In Africa - ACHPR/Res.204(L)2011

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) meeting at its 50th Ordinary Session held from 24^th October to 5^th  November 2011, in Banjul, The Gambia;

Considering its mandate to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Recalling that the African Commission established a Working Group composed of nine members, amongst them, three Members of the African Commission;

Recalling its Resolution Ref. ACHPR/Res.65 (XXXIV) 03 on the Report of the African Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities adopted at its 34^th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 6 – 20 November 2003;

Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.123 (XXXXII) 07 on the Composition and Renewal for a period of two years the Mandate of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa adopted at its 42^nd Ordinary Session held from 15 - 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;

Recalling further ACHPR/Res.155 (XLV1) 09, adopted during the 46^th Ordinary session of the African Commission held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 11^th 25^th November 2009, renewing the mandate the Working Group on Indigenous Population/Communities in Africa;

Noting with appreciation the work undertaken by the Working Group under the leadership of Commissioner Musa Ngary Bitaye during the past two years in the discharge of its mandate;

Noting further that the term of the Chairperson and members of the Working Group has come to an end;

Recognizing further the importance of the work of the Working Group in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous populations/communities in Africa and the necessity to allow the Working Group to continue to carry out its mandate;

Decides to: 

1. Appoint Commissioner Soyata Maiga as Chairperson of the Working Group;
2. Appoint Commissioner Lucy Aswagbor as a member of the Working Group;
3. Appoint Commissioner Pacifique Manirakiza as a member of the Working Group;
4. Maintain the membership of the following experts:

• Mr. Mohammed Khattali;
• Ms. Marianne Jensen;
• Mr. Zephyrin Kalimba;
• Mr. Melakou Tegegn
• Dr. Naomi Kipuri.
• Dr. Albert Barume

The mandate of the Working Group is 2 years and shall take effect on 5 November 2011

Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 05 November 2011