Banjul, 6 November 2017 – Following the tabling of APRM reports for the first time since its establishment in 2003 before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on the 9th and 10th of May 2017 in Niamey, Niger, APRM tables yet again two of its country reports before the ACHPR in November 2017. This is in accordance with para 25 of the APRM Base Document NEPAD/HSGIC/03-2003/APRM/MOU/Annex II which stipulates that six months after the report has been considered by the Heads of State and Government of the participating member countries, it should be formally and publicly tabled before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The 61st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights commenced on the 1st of November 2017 in Banjul, Gambia, and ends on the 15th of November 2017. The Commission will also be commemorating its 30th Anniversary of its operationalization during the Session as well as the swearing in of new commissioners, a new Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, Hon Soyata Maiga and Hon Lawrence Murugu Mute respectively.

The APRM at the Session was represented by the Vice Chairperson of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons, Hon Brigitte Mabandla and the Legal Officer, Ms Mary Agbebaku-Izobo.

On the 4th of November 2017, Hon. Brigitte Mabandla made a statement before the ACHPR, where she emphasized that the APRM review process creates an avenue for citizens’ participation and partnership with the ACHPR and other continental human rights and governance institutions. The APRM, she reiterated can play an important role to ensure that member states meet the high aspirations of Agenda 2063 by ensuring domestication and adherence to key human rights instruments including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

On the 5th of November 2017, Hon. Brigitte Mabandla gave a presentation on Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance and Socio-Economic Development in Chad. She also discussed cross-cutting issues and concluded by highlighting the best practices found during the Chad review process. Mr Sandjima Dounia, the Executive Secretary of the National Governing Council and Representative of Chad gave a concise and lucid statement on the state of governance and human rights in Chad, in the context of the APRM country review which the country had undergone. He further analyzed how Chad is improving in the areas of terrorism, the reforms of major institutions and reopening of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

Hon Brigitte Mabandla went on to further give a presentation on Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance and Socio-Economic Development in Djibouti. In addition, she highlighted the cross-cutting issues, the best practices and the challenges faced by Djibouti in the implementation of the recommendations prescribed by the APRM. The Djiboutian delegation, led by Mr Moussa Mohamed Omar, the Director of Communication in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, updated the Commission on Djibouti’s implementation of APRM recommendations and its work towards the alleviation of poverty and unemployment amongst citizens.

The Commissioner responsible for Chad and Djibouti, Hon Zainab Sylvie Kayitesi and other Commissioners responded to the APRM presentations in line with the mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Chairperson of the Commission, Hon Soyata Maiga commended both countries and encouraged them to pass the right laws, strategies and policies in the next years regardless of the challenges in implementation.