As Africa marks the 40th anniversary of the entry into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, human rights advocates and media leaders across the continent are calling for renewed and concrete action to protect fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.
The African Charter, which entered into force in October 1986 after being adopted in Nairobi in 1981, is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive legal instruments in the global human rights system. It reflects Africa’s commitment to universal human rights while grounding those rights in the continent’s historical, cultural and socio-political realities.
In a joint statement marking the anniversary, the African Diplomatic Academy (ADA) and the Union of Journalists for African Free Press stressed that the milestone should not be treated as a symbolic celebration, but as a moment of collective responsibility and continental mobilization.
“This anniversary cannot be reduced to a mere commemoration,” the statement noted, describing it instead as “a historic moment calling for action in defense of human rights in Africa.”
A Charter with a Unique African Vision
The African Charter introduced an original approach to human rights by emphasizing the inseparability of individual and collective rights, the relationship between rights and responsibilities, and the centrality of human solidarity. By doing so, Africa asserted its own voice within the international human rights framework.
However, the document also recalls that the Charter’s journey has not been smooth. Initial reluctance by some states, slow ratification processes, and commitments that were sometimes more declaratory than practical highlighted long-standing resistance to strong human rights protection on the continent.
The role played in the 1980s by African leaders, particularly under the leadership of then OAU Chairman President Abdou Diouf, was cited as evidence that determined political will and principled diplomacy can drive meaningful progress.
Progress Made, Challenges Persist
Four decades on, the assessment of the Charter’s impact remains mixed. While human rights institutions have been created at both continental and national levels, violations of fundamental rights persist in many parts of Africa.
According to the statement, repression has taken new forms, but restrictions on freedoms especially freedom of expression remain a serious concern. Freedom of expression was described as a cornerstone of democratic governance, citizen participation, transparency, accountability and social stability.
Journalists Under Pressure
Special attention was drawn to the situation of journalists and media professionals, who continue to face intimidation, legal harassment, arbitrary detention, violence and economic pressure in several African countries.
“These attacks do not only target individuals,” the statement warned, “they weaken the entire social fabric by shrinking civic space and depriving citizens of free, pluralistic and independent information.”
The protection of press freedom, the authors stressed, is not a favor granted by governments, but a legal obligation arising directly from the African Charter and a prerequisite for democratic and human development.
A Call to Action
To mark the anniversary, a solemn call for continental mobilization was issued:
To African states, to renew political commitment to the effective
implementation of the Charter and to guarantee freedom of expression and the safety of journalists;
To African Union institutions, to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring, preventing and sanctioning human rights violations;
To civil society, the media, academics and human rights defenders, to reclaim the spirit of the Charter and turn it into a living instrument for social transformation;
To African citizens, to make the defense of human rights a daily responsibility.
Beyond Commemoration
The statement concludes that the 40th anniversary must serve as a turning point rather than a ceremonial event.
“The Charter remains a visionary text,” it said, adding that future generations will judge today’s leaders and citizens not by how they celebrated it, but by their ability to ensure that its principles are fully lived and protected.
The statement was jointly endorsed by Benoit S. Ngom, Founding President of the African Diplomatic Academy and initiator of the Pan-African Academy of Human Rights Project, and Yao Noel, President of the Union of Journalists for African Free Press.
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PRESS RELEASE
40th Anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1986–2026)
A Continental Call for Mobilization in Defense of Human Rights and Protection of Freedom of Expression
Dakar / Abidjan, January 20, 2026
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.
Benoit S. Ngom
Founding President of the African Diplomatic Academy (ADA)
President and Initiator of the Pan-African Academy of Human Rights Project
Yao Noël
President of the Union of Journalists for African Free Press .
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