The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting in its 80thOrdinary Session, held virtually, from 24 July to 2 August 2024:
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples' rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling that the African Charter provides specific provisions for the protection of these rights, under Article 18(4) which states that “older persons or persons with disabilities are also entitled to specific measures of protection commensurate with their physical or moral needs”;
Recalling also its Resolution ACHPR/Res.118 (XXXXII), on the appointment of a Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa, adopted by its 42nd Ordinary Session, held from 15 to 28 November 2007 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;
Recalling further its Resolution ACHPR/Res.143 (XXXXV) 09 which transformed the Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa into a Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa (the Working Group);
Recalling, moreover, its ACHPR/Resolutions: 250 (LIV) 2013, ACHPR/Res. 312 (LVII) 2015, ACHPR/Res. 392 (LXI) 2017, ACHPR/Res. 425 (LXI) 2019, ACHPR/Res. 458 (LXI) 2020, ACHPR/Res. 506 (LXIX)2021 and ACHPR/ Res. 524 (LXXII) 2022 which have, over time, provided the legal framework for the existence and operation of the Working Group;
Considering that, under the guidance of the Working Group, the Commission has finalized the process of drafting the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa (adopted by the African Union in January 2016 at its 26th Summit in Addis Ababa), which has not yet entered into force due to lack of the required minimum number of ratifications; and the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (adopted in January 2018 by the African Union at its 30th Summit in Addis Ababa), which entered into force on 03 May 2024;
Considering also that the Working Group has been entrusted with co-responsibility for drafting the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security, adopted by the African Union in 2022 and which has not yet entered into force for lack of the minimum number of ratifications required;
Particularly considering that the Working Group must work more than ever on the implementation of the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa and increase awareness to enable the entry into force of the Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security;
Considering, in addition, the Standard Operating Procedures on Special Mechanisms of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, adopted by the 27th Extraordinary Session of the Commission, held from 19 February to 04 March 2020;
Noting with appreciation the work done by the Working Group under the leadership of Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Working Group since her appointment on 07 August 2020;
Considering that the two-year term of office of the Chairperson and the other Expert Members of the Working Group has expired;
Noting that, in view of the need to reconstitute the Working Group, a call for applications of Expert Members for the Working Group was launched and selections were made on the applications received;
Considering the need to enable the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities to continue to fulfil its mandate and address urgent issues related thereto;
Decides to:
i. Renew the mandate of Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo as Chairperson of the Working Group for a period of two years, with effect from 2 August 2024;
ii. Renew, for the same period, the mandate of Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga as Vice-Chairperson of the Working Group;
iii. Renew, for the same period, the mandate of Commissioner Idrissa Sow, as a member of the Working Group;
iv. Also renew, for the same period, the mandate of the following Expert Members :
- Maitre Saddam Hussein Meddeber;
- Mr. Patrick Laurent Badugue;
- Mrs. Rigbe Gebrehawaria Hagos;
v. Appoint, for the same period, the following Expert Members :
- Doctor Alidjou Bamba; and
- Mr. Andrew Kavala
Done virtually, on August 02, 2024
