This and the next section focus on the NGO Forum, a civil society advocacy space which takes place ahead of each session.
Africa will not get better unless it has a strong civil society
Chairperson Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, ACHPR81, 2024
The Forum on the Participation of Non-Governmental Organisations in the Ordinary Sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, more commonly known as the ‘NGO Forum’, is a civil society platform and biannual event held in the days (usually 3 days) immediately prior to an ordinary session of the African Commission held in-person in Banjul or wherever an ordinary session is set to take place.
The purpose of the NGO Forum is to promote joint advocacy and networking between African human rights NGOs and for them to present a united front vis-à-vis the African Commission. The NGO Forum is coordinated and organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), a Banjul-based NGO founded in 1989, with the support of a Steering Committee, of which ISHR is a member. Over 100 NGOs participate and it is the largest gathering of its kind on the continent. Participation is at NGOs’ own costs (unless sponsored by a partner).
The objectives of the NGO Forum are to:
The discussions at the Forum are generally centred around the African Union’s theme for the year (also the ACHPR’s theme for its ordinary session). For example, at the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission, the theme was: ‘The Year of Education: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa”’ (see concept note here). Commissioners and officials do occasionally participate in the NGO Forum as well.
During the NGO Forum, NGOs cluster together into special interest groups based on human rights issues of common concern. These special interest groups together discuss their particular human rights topic and proposed joint draft resolutions to the NGO Forum plenary.
The outcomes of the NGO Forum, including its resolutions and recommendations to the African Commission and member States, are adopted by the NGO Forum at the end of the 3 days and are then presented at the opening ceremony of the ACHPR ordinary session (typically a day or two later) by a representative of the ACDHRS. See here for a summary of the Outcomes of the NGO Forum ahead of the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission, including country resolutions, thematic resolutions, and recommendations (2024).
The Commission has provided a pillar, a foundation where African citizens and friends of Africa meet around the NGO Forum. This has built a strong platform of African actors who talk to each other. Besides the case law, the soft law, the principles, declarations, and recommendations, the fact that there is a place where citizens go twice a year to interact is important and it is one invaluable benefit that has been under-recorded and understated.
Don Deya, Executive Director of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU)
Go to the next section for tips on how to participate in the NGO Forum.
