ACHPR/Res.382 (LXI) 2017: Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate and Reconstitution of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) meeting at its 61st Ordinary Session held from 1st to 15th November 2017, in Banjul, The Gambia:

Considering 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 that the Commission established a Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities (the Working Group) composed of ten members, amongst them, three Members of the Commission;

Further recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.65 (XXXIV) 03 on the Report of the Commission’s Working Group adopted at its 34th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 6 to 20 November 2003;

Recalling Resolutions ACHPR/Res.123 (XXXXII) 2007; ACHPR/Res.155 (XLV1) 2009; ACHPR/Res.204 (L) 2011; ACHPR/Res.249 (LIV) 2013 and ACHPR/Res.323

(LVII) 2015, all on the renewal of the mandate of the Working Group for periods of two years;

Bearing in mind ACHPR/Res.237 (LIII) 2013, ACHPR/Res. 329 (EXT.OS/XIX) 2016

and ACHPR/Res. 354(LIX) 2016, all appointing new expert members for the Working Group;

Noting with appreciation the work undertaken by the Working Group under the leadership of Commissioner Soyata Maiga during the past two years in the discharge of its mandate;

Noting further that the term of the Chairperson and members of the Working Group has come to an end;

Acknowledging the contribution of the outgoing member of the Working Group, Commissioner Reine-Alapini Gansou, and mindful of the need to fill the vacated position;

Recognizing 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;

Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 15 November 2017