By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A coalition of African civil society organizations has condemned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for sending a congratulatory letter to President Paul Biya following Cameroon’s disputed elections, describing the gesture as a threat to the Commission’s credibility and impartiality.
In a joint statement released through the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) platform, the coalition said the ACHPR’s letter of congratulations “undermines its core mandate to promote and protect human rights” across the continent, especially amid ongoing reports of election-related violence and fatalities in Cameroon.
The organizations expressed disappointment that the Commission would issue such a statement despite credible allegations of human rights violations, intimidation, and irregularities surrounding the electoral process. They further criticized the ACHPR’s silence on similar crises in other African nations, including Tanzania, where political tensions and human rights abuses have drawn global concern.
The coalition, which includes the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the Centre for Human Rights, and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, among others, urged the ACHPR to reaffirm its commitment to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The groups called for independent investigations into human rights abuses linked to elections and more proactive interventions in political crises across Africa.
The statement, titled “Joint Civil Society Statement: African Commission’s Letter to President Biya,” emphasized that the ACHPR’s action was “incompatible with its mandate” and risked eroding public trust in the institution.
“We note with regret that on October 27, 2025, the African Commission sent a letter to President Paul Biya in connection with the electoral process,” the statement read. “This act contradicts the Commission’s responsibility to investigate and consider allegations of human rights violations under its charter.”
The signatories argued that the congratulatory message sent to Biya — whose administration has faced accusations of corruption, electoral manipulation, and repression — sends the wrong signal to citizens across Africa struggling for democracy and accountability.
“The deepening crisis of governance, the weakening of institutions, and the manipulation of electoral processes have created an environment where corrupt and authoritarian leaders thrive,” the coalition added. “Citizens across the continent have taken to the streets to demand accountability and reforms, often at great personal risk.”
The organizations concluded by urging the African Commission to restore public confidence through impartiality, justice, and adherence to its founding principles. They stressed that the ACHPR must prioritize human rights protection over political diplomacy to remain a credible voice for the African people.
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