Final Communiqué of the 76th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on
Human and Peoples’ Rights
Virtual Session
19 July to 2 August 2023
1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) held
virtually its 76th Ordinary Session (the Session) from 19th February to 2 August
2023.
2. The Session was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu,
Chairperson of the Commission, assisted by Honourable Commissioner Maya
Sahli Fadel, Vice-Chairperson of the Commission.
3. In his speech, the Chairperson of the Commission mentioned his re-election for the
second and last term of six (6) years as a citizen of Democratic Republic of Congo,
representing Central Africa, and congratulated other three (3) Commissioners, i.e,
Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela from Angola, representing
Southern Africa, re-elected; Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, from
Tunisia, representing Northern Africa, re-elected; and Honourable Commissioner
Salma Sassi-Safer, from Algeria, representing Northern Africa, newly elected.
4. The Session was attended by the following members of the Commission:
i.
Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson;
ii.
Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel, Vice Chairperson;
iii.
Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso;
iv.
Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem;
v.
Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela;
vi.
Honourable Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga;
vii.
Honourable Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo;
viii. Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie;
ix.
Honourable Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo;
x.
Honourable Commissioner Idrissa Sow; and
xi.
Honourable Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana.
5. The Commission considered and adopted its agenda with amendments.
6. The Commission considered and adopted the following documents:
i.
Paper on the interpretation of Article 56(2) of the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter);
ii.
Study on the Use of Force;
iii.
iv.
v.
Paper on Operating Procedures/Working Methods for Coordination;
Concept Note- A Comprehensive Framework for Monitoring the
Implementation of the Commission’s Promotion Missions;
Paper on African Values.
7. The Commission considered and adopted the following reports:
i.
Report of the Secretariat on Administrative Seizures;
ii.
Report on Audit of Communications;
iii.
Report of the meeting of the working group on Communications;
iv. Report on the Status of the Follow Up Actions from 74 th Ordinary
and 75th Ordinary Sessions;
v.
Report on the Decisions of the 74th and 75th Ordinary Sessions;
vi. Report on the Participation of the Commission in the Kigali Retreat of
the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) on the African Union
Institutional Reform;
vii. Report of the Secretary to the Commission;
viii. Report on the 2024 Budget Allocation for the Commission;
ix.
Report of the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Budgetary and
Staff Matters;
x.
Report on the Status of Implementation of the 2023 Annual Workplan;
xi.
Report of the 77th Ordinary Session Pre-mission to Tanzania.
8. The Commission also considered and adopted the Mid-Term Review of the
ACHPR 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
9. The Commission considered and adopted Concluding Observations on the
following Periodic Reports:
i.
Periodic Report of the Republic of Zambia;
ii.
Periodic Report of the Republic of Senegal.
10. In relation to Communications, the Commission considered and adopted a total of
sixteen (16) decisions as follows:
i.
Six (6) Communications on the Merits;
ii.
Seven (7) Communications on Admissibility, of which three (3) was
declared admissible and four (4) inadmissible;
iii.
Two (2) Communications for strike-out; and
iv.
One (1) request for withdrawal.
11. Concerning Resolutions, the Commission considered and adopted three (3)
Resolutions as follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
Resolution on the inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, internally
displaced persons and stateless persons in national systems, services and
economic opportunities in Africa
Resolution on the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the
Republic of the Sudan as a result of the war unleashed on 15 April 2023;
Resolution on Action to be taken by the Commission in the event of a
prolonged delay in the Submission of the Initial Report (Proactive
Approach).
12. The Resolutions adopted shall be published on the Commission’s website:
www.achpr.org.
13. The 77st Ordinary Session of the Commission shall be held from 18 October to 7
November 2023, in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
Done on 2nd August 2023.