Resolution on the Composition and Renewal of the Mandate of the Working group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa

ACHPR/Res.123(XXXXII)07: RESOLUTION ON THE COMPOSITION AND RENEWAL OF THE MANDATE OF THE WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS/COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission or ACHPR) meeting at its 42nd Ordinary Session held from 15 - 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;

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

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

Noting that the African Commission entrusted the Working Group with a mandate for an initial period of two years;

Considering that the term of the Working Group comes to an end on 5th December 2007;

Considering further that the term of Ambassador Mohamed Kamel Rezag-Bara as a Member of the African Commission along with his mandate as a Member and the Chairperson of the Working Group have come to an end on 28 November 2007;

Appreciating the work that Ambassador Mohamed Kamel Rezag-Bara has done as a Member and Chairperson of the Working Group;

Commending the work undertaken by the Working Group during the past two years in the discharge of its mandate;

Recognizing the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 13 September 2007;

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:

 Extend the mandate of the Working Group for a period of two years with effect from 28th November 2007;

 Designate Commissioner Musa Ngary Bitaye as Chairperson of the Working Group;

 Designate Commissioner Mumba Malila as a member of the Working Group;

 Designate Commissioner Soyata Maiga as a member of the Working Group;

 Appoint Dr. Albert Barume and Mr. Melakou Tegegn as expert members of the Working Group; and

Maintain the membership of the following experts:

 Mr. Mohammed Khattali;

 Ms. Marianne Jensen;

 Mr. Mr. Zephyrin Kalimba; and

 Dr. Naomi Kipuri.