• Excellency, Ambassador Miguel Cesar Domingos Bembe, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the African Union, Chairperson of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee,
• Excellencies, Ambassadors, Members of the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC),
• Hon. Hanna Araya Selassie, the Attorney General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
• Mr. Marcel Clement Akpovo, Regional Representative for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the East Africa Regional Office and to the African Union,
• Mrs. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions,
• Mr. Berhanu Adelo Gebremariam, Chief Commissioner, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission,
• Prof. James Mouangue Kobila, Vice Chairperson of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions,
• Mr. Gilbert Sebihogo, Executive Director of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI),
• Distinguished Representatives of the African National Human Rights Institutions,
• Representatives of the African Union Organs
• Representatives of the Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Colleagues from the African Union Commission

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to you all to this Seventh AUC-NANHRI Policy Dialogue on the State of African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), organized  under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations: The Role of NHRIs & Other Human Rights Actors.”

This dialogue convenes critical stakeholders, including the member of the Permanente Representatives Committee (PRC) and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) dedicated to the advancement of human rights, justice, and peace in Africa in line with the AU Human and Peoples’ Rights Decade Action Plan and our aspirations for peace, Justice, and Human Rights set by the AU Agenda 2063.

I wish to seize this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the leadership and members of the Network of Africa National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for partnering with the AUC to organize this important Dialogue.

 

Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

As you are aware, our Union has dedicated 2025 to the theme: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations." This decision underscores our commitment to addressing historical injustices and persistent inequalities, rooted deeply in legacies of colonialism, apartheid, slavery, and systemic racial discrimination. Indeed, reparations and reparatory justice are not merely historical or symbolic gestures but are critical to the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights, integral to sustainable peace and equitable development for Africa and its diaspora.

Our continent today grapples with multifaceted crises—armed conflicts, unconstitutional changes of government, deteriorating civic space, and rising inequalities exacerbated by global economic instability. These challenges threaten not only peace and security but also profoundly impact the fundamental rights of our people. The erosion of civic space, the persistence of gender-based violence, violations against migrants and internally displaced persons, and growing economic marginalization reflect a worrying trend that must be reversed through a human-rights-centered approach to governance and development.

Within this context, the AU has prioritized to strengthening the continental early warning system through proactive human rights monitoring. The systematic involvement of NHRIs through robust data collection, analysis, and early warning reporting is central to enhancing our preventive capacities. Your work in these areas is pivotal for advancing conflict prevention and resilience-building strategies, consistent with our Continental Early Warning Data Collection Framework.

Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

Furthermore, this dialogue is convened at a moment of heightened expectation and is a demonstration of the commitment of our distinguished members of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee to advancing human rights and justice in Africa. We are not only here to discuss challenges but also to reinforce our collective commitment and practical strategies for achieving tangible human rights impacts. This Policy Dialogue should, therefore, culminated in actionable recommendations, clear commitments, and renewed partnerships to significantly enhance human rights protections continent-wide.

The African Union remains dedicated to recognizing and incentivizing excellence among NHRIs and supportive governments. This year, we are particularly proud to launch the African Union NHRIs Award, an initiative underscoring our collective recognition of institutions demonstrating exceptional adherence to the Paris Principles and our shared African Human Rights values. Such recognition strengthens institutional independence, accountability, and effectiveness, critical to sustaining human rights advancements across Africa.

 

Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

As we deliberate over the coming three days, let us reflect on the imperative of solidarity and shared responsibility. Reparations as envisaged by our Union are not solely a pursuit of historical justice but a cornerstone in our ongoing quest for socioeconomic equity and cultural recognition. It is a clarion call to dismantle systemic injustices perpetuating exclusion and poverty, and anchor our responses firmly in human rights and dignity.

Therefore, the expectations from this dialogue are indeed high. We anticipate your expert insights, innovative proposals, and practical solutions that will effectively mainstream human rights into our continental peace and governance mechanisms. Let us leverage this opportunity to forge stronger collaborations, deepen our commitments, and move decisively towards realizing the Africa we all aspire to, an Africa characterized by justice, dignity, and respect for all human rights.

Let us leverage this gathering to strengthen partnerships, amplify voices of the marginalized, and establish clear commitments that translate into meaningful change for African societies. Together, we have the power, and the responsibility, to shape an Africa where justice, dignity, and human rights prevail.

Together, let us set the stage for meaningful progress. I wish us all fruitful and impactful deliberations.

I thank you.

 

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