Commission Adopts Combined 60th and 61st Activity Report
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted its combined activity report and seven resolutions at a virtual extraordinary session.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Legislative Policy
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted its combined 60th and 61st Activity Report under Article 54 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights during its 40th Extraordinary Session, held virtually on 6 November 2026. Eleven Commissioners participated under the chairpersonship of Idrissa Sow, with Hatem Essaiem serving as Vice-Chairperson.
Why it matters
The adopted report formally documents the Commission's activities across the reporting period, a required step under the African Charter. The session also renewed or reconstituted several thematic mandates, including those covering women's rights, economic, social and cultural rights, and Indigenous populations and minorities.
The session drew 11 Commissioners and produced seven resolutions alongside the combined 60th and 61st Activity Report. The record does not detail the report's substantive findings or the specific measures set out in the South Sudan resolution.
The players
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is a continental body established under the African Charter to promote and protect human rights across Africa.
Idrissa Sow
Idrissa Sow chairs the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and presided over the 40th Extraordinary Session.
Hatem Essaiem
Hatem Essaiem serves as Vice-Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and assisted in chairing the session.
The details
The 40th Extraordinary Session was held virtually on 6 November 2026, following the Commission's 89th Ordinary Session in Dakar, Senegal, from 12 to 21 October 2026. Commissioners also adopted the Resolutions Committee's report from its 20 October 2026 meeting, which included a resolution on the human rights situation and upcoming elections in South Sudan.
Timeline
- 12 to 21 October 2026: 89th Ordinary Session held in Dakar, Senegal.
- 20 October 2026: Resolutions Committee meeting held on the sidelines of the session.
- 6 November 2026: 40th Extraordinary Session held virtually.
- 15 February to 1 March 2027: 90th Ordinary Session scheduled.
Legislative Policy
The adoption follows the periodic reporting framework set by Article 54 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, continuing the Commission's routine accountability cycle to the continental body.
The renewed mandates for women's rights, economic and cultural rights, and Indigenous populations will shape how the Commission monitors and reports on those issues over the coming period. Readers tracking human rights oversight in Africa can follow these mandates through the Commission's future sessions.
The takeaway
Institutional reports and mandate renewals are where continental human rights priorities become concrete, and the Commission's upcoming session will show how these commitments progress. Tracking the scheduled 90th Ordinary Session offers the clearest view of what follows.
What happens next
The Commission's 90th Ordinary Session is scheduled from 15 February to 1 March 2027, where its work will continue.
Further reading
For broader context on how such mandates are set, explore more on Legislative Policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
