{"id":23495,"date":"2026-03-04T12:15:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T09:15:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.african-court.org\/afchpr\/?p=23495"},"modified":"2026-03-16T18:59:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T15:59:39","slug":"african-court-marks-20th-anniversary-opens-2026-judicial-year-and-launches-new-website-with-renewed-calls-for-ratification-and-implementation-of-its-mandate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.african-court.org\/afchpr\/african-court-marks-20th-anniversary-opens-2026-judicial-year-and-launches-new-website-with-renewed-calls-for-ratification-and-implementation-of-its-mandate\/","title":{"rendered":"African Court marks 20th anniversary, opens 2026 judicial year and launches new website with renewed calls for ratification and implementation of its mandate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>Arusha, 03 March 2026<\/em><\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> The African Court on Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights (AfCHPR) has opened its 2026 Judicial Year with a renewed call for African Union Member States to deepen their commitment to justice, ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and fully implement its judgments in good faith, as the Court marks 20 years of protecting human and peoples\u2019 rights across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ceremony was held under the theme \u201c<em>20 years of service in protecting human and peoples\u2019 rights<\/em>,\u201d marking the Court\u2019s 20<sup>th<\/sup> Anniversary and reflecting on two decades of advancing justice across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ceremony took place at the Seat of the Court in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania and was graced by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as the Guest of Honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The event opened with President Mahama touring an exhibition reflecting on the Court\u2019s 20-year journey highlighting its historical progression, landmark cases and engagement initiatives, development of the new premises of the Court and showcasing the revamped website as well as the Court\u2019s forthcoming e-library platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his keynote address, President Mahama opened with a deeply personal reflection on his father\u2019s detention following political upheavals in Ghana. Drawing from his childhood memories, he underscored how injustice affects not only individuals but entire families and communities, shaping his enduring commitment to justice, due process and the rule of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAlthough I stand before you as a Head of State, I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader. The effects of social injustice and human rights violations extend beyond individuals; they impact entire families and communities.\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>President Mahama made a strong appeal to African Union Member States that have not yet ratified the Protocol to the African Charter establishing the Court. He urged full cooperation with the Court\u2019s mandate, including implementation of judgments and acceptance of direct access for individuals and NGOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI call upon African Union member states who have not yet ratified the Protocol to please do so without delay. I humbly ask all African nations and individuals to respect and implement the Court\u2019s judgements in good faith and to also make the declaration to allow individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court.\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>President Mahama encouraged African Union Member States to engage confidently with the Court, noting that there is nothing to fear in appearing before it, as a judicial body established to protect human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In her remarks, Her Excellency Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, described the Court\u2019s 20<sup>th<\/sup> Anniversary as a historic milestone, noting that twenty years of work have translated the promise of justice into real protection for Africans. She stressed that the anniversary must also be a moment of reflection and renewed commitment on how to strengthen the Court\u2019s impact going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She further posed critical questions to guide the Court\u2019s future direction and collaboration with Member States:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHow can the Court adapt to ensure it remains accessible to the most vulnerable? How can we, as the AUC and Member States, strengthen our collaboration to ensure its judgments are truly transformative?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On his part, President of the African Court Honourable Justice Blaise Tchikaya highlighted the Court\u2019s growing impact on continental jurisprudence and access to justice, stating that since its establishment in 2006, the Court has handled over 370 cases and has contributed meaningfully to strengthening electoral standards, protecting vulnerable groups and advancing the right to life, dignity and political participation across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He acknowledged that limited ratification and low public awareness continue to hinder broader access to the Court and expressed hope that greater engagement by Member States would enhance its impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn twenty years, the Court has strengthened the protection of fundamental rights across Africa and expanded access to justice for many who would otherwise have none. To build on this progress, we need greater ratification of the Protocol, stronger implementation of our judgments and wider public awareness of the Court\u2019s role.\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his goodwill message, Ambassador Willy Nyamitwe, Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives\u2019 Committee (PRC) of the African Union, observed that in an increasingly uncertain global environment marked by rising conflicts and weakening multilateral systems, Africa must strengthen its own institutions, noting the African Court\u2019s crucial role in upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe African Court then becomes even more vital. It must anchor our continent within a rules-based system grounded in African values\u2026The next phase of the Court\u2019s journey should be marked by an expanded reach and a deeper, more tangible impact on the lives of African peoples,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ceremony also saw the launch of the Court\u2019s revamped website, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.african-court.org\">www.african-court.org<\/a> which features enhanced functionalities and full alignment with African Union brand guidelines, reflecting the Court\u2019s status as an organ of the African Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Solemn Ceremony brought together representatives of African Union Member States, national, regional and international, Courts, African Union organs national human rights institutions, legal professionals, members of Bar Associations, civil society organisations, members of the academia, members of the press and other stakeholders involved in the work of the Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The event further marked the commencement of the 80<sup>th<\/sup> Ordinary Session of the Court, scheduled to run from 2 to 27 March 2026 at its Seat in Arusha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the Session, the Court is hosting the 4<sup>th<\/sup> International Human Rights Forum, bringing together the Court, the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to strengthen cooperation and deepen dialogue on shared human rights challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the official launch of the Court\u2019s 20<sup>th<\/sup> Anniversary celebrations, various outreach and awareness activities will be rolled out throughout the year across the continent and in collaboration with various stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69df9260098d9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69df9260098d9\" 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\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>NOTES FOR EDITORS<\/u><\/strong><strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The African Court on Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights (AfCHPR) is a continental court established by African Union Member States to ensure the protection of human and peoples&#8217; 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\u2019 Rights which is based in Banjul, The Gambia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each year, the Court launches its activities with a solemn ceremony to official opening of its judicial year, underscoring its commitment to the protection of human and peoples\u2019 rights across Africa and beyond. The opening sets the tone for the year ahead and serves as a call to action for meaningful strides in safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Africans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Court is commemorating its 20<sup>th<\/sup> Anniversary, marking two decades of its journey from 2006 to 2026 in the protection of human and peoples\u2019 rights in Africa. Commemorative activities will take place throughout the year across the continent.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Furtherinformation on the Court can be obtained from&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.african-court.org\"><em>www.african-court.org<\/em><\/a><em> Telephone: +255 272 510 510<\/em><br><em>For further inquiries: Ms Grace Wakio Kakai, Deputy Registrar \u2013 <\/em><a href=\"mailto:Registrar@african-court.org\"><em>Registrar@african-court.org<\/em><\/a><br><em>For media inquiries: Ms Chipiliro Kansilanga Ngue, Senior Information &amp; Communication Officer and Head of Communication Unit \u2013 <\/em><a href=\"mailto:Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org\"><em>Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arusha, 03 March 2026: The African Court on Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights (AfCHPR) has opened its 2026 Judicial Year with a renewed call for African Union Member States to deepen their commitment to justice, ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and fully implement its judgments in good faith, as the Court marks 20 years of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard"},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"jnews_post_split":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,161,12],"tags":[496],"class_list":["post-23495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flash-news","category-latest-informations","category-press-releases","tag-judicial-year-2026"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>African Court marks 20th anniversary, opens 2026 judicial year and launches new website with renewed calls for ratification and implementation of its mandate - African Court on Human and Peoples&#039; Rights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.african-court.org\/afchpr\/african-court-marks-20th-anniversary-opens-2026-judicial-year-and-launches-new-website-with-renewed-calls-for-ratification-and-implementation-of-its-mandate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"African Court marks 20th anniversary, opens 2026 judicial year and launches new website with renewed calls for ratification and implementation of its mandate - African Court on Human and Peoples&#039; Rights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Arusha, 03 March 2026: The African Court on Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights (AfCHPR) has opened its 2026 Judicial Year with a renewed call for African Union Member States to deepen their commitment to justice, ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and fully implement its judgments in good faith, as the Court marks 20 years of [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.african-court.org\/afchpr\/african-court-marks-20th-anniversary-opens-2026-judicial-year-and-launches-new-website-with-renewed-calls-for-ratification-and-implementation-of-its-mandate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"African Court on Human and Peoples&#039; 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