40 Years of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: A call to defend rights

The year 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the entry into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which took place in October 1986.

This anniversary cannot be reduced to a mere symbolic commemoration. It constitutes a historic moment of collective responsibility, calling for continental mobilization in support of the effective defense and promotion of human rights in Africa.

Adopted in Nairobi in 1981 and entering into force five years later, the African Charter remains one of the most innovative legal instruments in the international human rights system.

By adopting it, Africa affirmed its commitment to fully contributing to the universality of human rights, while simultaneously asserting an interpretation rooted in its values, history, and socio-political realities.

The Charter thus enshrined an original vision, based on the inseparability of individual and collective rights, the link between rights and responsibilities, and the primacy of human solidarity.

A political and legal legacy to preserve

The history of the Charter's entry into force reminds us that progress in human rights is never guaranteed.

The initial reluctance of many states, the slow pace of ratification, and the sometimes purely declaratory commitments all testify to the structural resistance that the protection of human rights has encountered on the continent.

The decisive role played in the 1980s by certain African states and leaders—particularly under President Abdou Diouf as the head of the Organization of African Unity—illustrates that a strong political will, based on conviction-driven diplomacy and dialogue, can produce decisive progress.

This legacy must now inspire a new continental dynamic.

Forty years later: real progress, but persistent challenges

Forty years after its entry into force, the record of the African Charter remains mixed. While continental and national human rights institutions have been established, violations of fundamental rights persist in many regions of the continent.

The forms of repression have evolved, but infringements on freedoms remain a worrying reality.

Among these freedoms, freedom of expression occupies a central place. It constitutes the foundation of any democratic society, the essential condition for citizen participation, and an indispensable lever for transparency, accountability, and social peace.

Freedom of Expression and the Protection of Journalists: An African Urgent Need

On this 40th anniversary, particular emphasis must be placed on the protection of journalists and media professionals, whose role in educating citizens, shaping public opinion, and strengthening the rule of law is fundamental.

In many African countries, journalists continue to face ostracism, intimidation, abusive legal proceedings, arbitrary detention, physical violence, and economic pressure. These attacks do not only target individuals; they weaken the entire social fabric by shrinking civic space and depriving citizens of free, pluralistic, and independent information.

The defense of press freedom must therefore not be seen as a concession, but as a legal obligation stemming directly from the African Charter, and as an essential condition for the democratic and human development of the continent.

A Solemn Call for Continental Mobilization

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, a solemn call for mobilization is launched:

To African States, to renew their political commitment to the effective implementation of the Charter and to fully guarantee freedom of expression and the safety of journalists;

To the institutions of the African Union, to strengthen the mechanisms for monitoring, preventing, and sanctioning human rights violations;

To civil society organizations, the media, academics, and human rights defenders, to reclaim the spirit of the Charter and make it a living instrument of social transformation;

To African citizens, to make the defense of human rights a daily struggle.

Making the 40th anniversary a turning point, not just a commemoration

The 40th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights must be a moment of truth and action. It must usher in a period of critical reflection, but above all, of collective mobilization, so that the proclaimed rights become rights that are truly exercised and protected.

The Charter remains a visionary text. History will judge our generation not on our ability to celebrate it, but on our will and our capacity to live it fully, in service of human dignity, freedom of expression, and the democratic future of Africa.