The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) and the Permanent Representatives Committee of the African Union (PRC), represented by the Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance, the Sub-Committee on General Supervision and Coordination of Budgetary, Financial and Administrative Matters, as well as the Sub-Committee on Structural Reforms, held a Joint Retreat from 5 to 7 December 2023 in Dakar, Republic of Senegal.
The meeting, organised in accordance with Executive Council Decision EX.CL/Dec.1045 (XXXIV) requesting that a “Joint Retreat of the PRC and the ACHPR be held annually”, was aimed at strengthening the synergy between the two bodies and establishing a working relationship conducive to harmonious interactions with a view to better promotion and protection of human rights on the Continent.
The Retreat was attended by fifty (50) participants including Commissioners, Permanent Representatives of Member States, Permanent Missions of Member States to the African Union; officials of the African Union Commission and those of the Secretariat of the Commission.
The Retreat was structured around four sessions: an overview of the Commission's mandate and working methods, as well as the mandates of the PRC Sub-Committee procedures; reflections on the Commission's work and institutional performance; strengthening the Commission with a view to its contribution to building the Africa we want; and strategies for strengthening institutional relations between the Commission, the PRC and the Member States
The presentations were followed by fruitful exchanges during which participants expressed their concerns, shared their experiences and made recommendations designed to increase the Commission's operational capacities in the context of fulfilling its mandate.
The Retreat produced a final comprehensive outcome document outlining its conclusions and recommendations.
Done at Dakar, Republic of Senegal, 7 December 2023
