Arusha, 12 May 2026: The African Court on Human & Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) has reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and complementarity with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The President of the African Court, Honourable Justice Blaise Tchikaya made the remarks on Monday in Banjul, The Gambia, while delivering a statement during the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Addressing delegates, the President described the Court and the Commission as “inseparable institutions” sharing a common mandate of protecting and promoting human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
“The Commission and the Court are inseparable and they share a common mandate, namely to protect and promote human and peoples’ rights,” he stated.
Justice Tchikaya further noted that the principle of complementarity between the two organs is firmly grounded in the Protocol establishing the African Court, emphasizing that cooperation between the institutions remains central to strengthening the African human rights system.
The President highlighted the Court’s ongoing commemoration of 20 years since becoming operational in 2006, noting that over the years, the two institutions have continued to strengthen their collaboration through regular annual meetings, joint engagements and institutional exchanges.
He also referenced the Second Joint Retreat between the African Court and the African Commission held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, on 2–3 June 2025, during which the two institutions reviewed progress made under the Complementarity Roadmap and agreed to extend its implementation until 2028. It will be recalled that it was during this Retreat that the two organs adopted the Communique and Guidelines on Complementarity to facilitate the transfer of cases.
According to Justice Tchikaya, the Roadmap remains an important framework for improving coordination, information-sharing and implementation of decisions between the two organs.
He further noted that initiatives under the Roadmap include staff exchanges, development of databases and reporting mechanisms, as well as strengthened national coordination efforts aimed at improving the effectiveness of the African human rights system.
The President also highlighted the publication of Volumes Six (6) and Seven (7) of the African Human Rights Yearbook as one of the collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and fostering a culture of respect for human rights across the continent.
Reaffirming the Court’s readiness to continue working closely with the Commission and other stakeholders, Hon. Justice Tchikaya stressed the importance of sustained cooperation in advancing the shared continental mandate of protecting human rights in Africa.
The African Court and the African Commission continue to work closely under the framework of complementarity to strengthen the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights across the continent.
Honourable Justice Tchikaya also had bilateral engagements with H.E. Ambassador Willy Nyamitwe, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives Committee of the African Union and with H.E. Ambassador Professor Miguel Cesar Domingos Bembe, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) is a continental court established by African countries to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. The Court is an organ of the African Union and it complements and reinforces the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
- The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
- The Court’s mandate includes hearing cases and disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as any other human rights instrument ratified by the concerned States.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from www.african-court.org Telephone: +255 272 510 510 For further inquiries: Ms Grace Wakio Kakai, Deputy Registrar – Registrar@african-court.org For media inquiries: Chipiliro Liyana Kansilanga – Senior Information & Communication Officer and Head of Communication Unit Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org
