Press Release on the Official Deposit by Malawi and Nigeria of Their Instruments of Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples

Press Release on the Official Deposit by Malawi and Nigeria of Their Instruments of Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa

The Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa (the Working Group) warmly welcomes the deposit by the Republic of Malawi and the Federal Republic of Nigeria of their instruments of ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.

These instruments of ratification were deposited with the African Union Commission on December 20, 2023, for Malawi, and January 15, 2024, for Nigeria. It should be noted that the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa was carried out on October 19, 2023, by Nigeria and on December 6, 2023, by Malawi.

The Working Group congratulates Nigeria and Malawi on this progress, which brings to fourteen (14) the number of ratifications (with deposit of instruments of ratification) of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.

The Working Group takes this opportunity to reiterate its urgent call to the States Parties to the Charter to work towards achieving the 15 ratifications necessary for the entry into force of this Protocol. Likewise, for the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons, which totals 13 deposits of instruments of ratification, the Working Group calls for continued efforts from Governments. Such actions would be in line with the ongoing work of all relevant parties towards building “the Africa we want,” which requires that all categories of the African population be taken into account.

Banjul, February 7, 2024

For the Working Group,

Chairperson

Commissioner Marie-Louise ABOMO