The African Commission, meeting at its 42nd Session which was held from 15 th to 28 th November 2007 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo:
Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.38 (XXV) 99, adopted at the 25 th Ordinary Session, held from 26 th April to 5 th May 1999 in Bujumbura, Burundi, establishing the special Mechanism on the Rights of Women in Africa and appointing Julienne Ondziel Gnelenga as Special Rapporteur;
Recalling also Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Recalling also Resolutions: ACHPR/Res. (XXX) 01, passed at its 30 th Ordinary Session which was held from 17 th to 27 th October 2001 in Banjul, The Gambia, by which it had appointed Commissioner Angela Melo Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa; ACHPR/Res. 63 (XXXIV) 03, adopted at its 34 th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 6 th to 20 th November 2003; and ACHPR/Res. 78 (XXXVIII) 05, adopted at its 38 th Ordinary Session, held from 21s November to 6 th December 2005 in Banjul, The Gambia, renewing Commissioner Melo’s mandate for a period of two years;
Appreciative of the major task accomplished by Commissioner Melo as Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa;
Considering that Commissioner Melo’s mandate has now expired;
Taking into consideration that Commissioner Melo had been elected to the post of Vice-Chairperson of the Commission;
Recognizing the numerous challenges that Women continue to face on the African Continent in the struggle for recognition of their human rights:-
DECIDES to appoint Commissioner Soyata Maiga as Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa for a period of two years;
CALLS ON the State Parties to the Charter to take the necessary measures to guarantee support for the Special Rapporteur in the execution of her duties.
Done in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo 29th November 2007.
