African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was formed in July 2001, one and half years after the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child came into force.
The members are elected by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The criteria for the selection of members are:
- Members must be nationals of a State Party to the Children's Charter (i.e. a country that is a signatory);
- They must be individuals of high moral standing, integrity, impartiality and competence in matters of the rights and welfare of the child;
- Members are nominated by signatory countries and elected by the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union;
- Members are elected for a term of five years and serve voluntarily in their individual capacity. They may not be re-elected.
Meetings
The Committee of Experts meets twice each year, usually in May and November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The exact dates depend on other items on the AU agenda around these times. They are empowered to receive and examine the country ("state") reports on the measures they have adopted to implement the provisions of the Children's Charter as well as the progress achieved regarding how the rights are being protected. The final protective function of the Committee of Experts is related to the investigations procedure. They are empowered to resort to any appropriate method of investigation in respect of any issue covered in the Children's Charter.
Committee members
- Dr. Benyam Dawit Mezmur, Ethiopia, Chair Person, Term of office: July 2010-July 2015;
- Mrs. Fatima Delladj-Sebaa, Algeria – 1st Vice President, Term of Office: July 2010 – July 2015;
- Prof. Julia Sloth-Nielsen, South Africa, 2nd Vice President, Term of Office: January 2011 – January 2016;
- Dr. Clement Julius Mashamba, Tanzania – 3rd Vice-President, Term of Office: July 2010 – July 2015;
- Justice Alfas Muvavarigwa Chitakunye, Zimbabwe, Rapporteur, Term of Office: July 2010 – July 2015;
- Mrs. Sidikou Aissatou Alassane Moulaye, Niger - Term of Office: May 20013 – May 2018;
- Mr. Joseph Ndayisenga, Burundi, Term of Office: May 2013- May 2018;
- Dr. Azza Ashmawy, Egypte, Term of Office: May 2013 – May 2018;
- Mrs. Amal Muhammad El Henqari, Libya, Term of Office: July 2010 – July 2015;
- Mrs. Félicité Muhimpundu, Rwanda, Term of Office: July 2010 – July 2015;
- Mrs. Suzanne Aho-Assouma, Togo, Term of Office: May 2013 – May 2018
As at October 2008, the elected Committee of Experts were (name, country, position):
- Ms. Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhate, Sénégal, Chairperson;
- Ms. Marie Chantal Koffi Appoh, Côte d'Ivoire, Vice-Chairperson;
- Ms Boipelo Lucia Seitlhamo, Botswana, Rapporteur;
- Hon. Justice Martha Koome, Kenya, Member;
- Mrs. Mamosebi T. Pholo, Lesotho, Member;
- Mr. Moussa Sissoko, Mali, Member;
- Mrs. Dawlat Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt, Member;
- Mr. Cyprien Adébayo, Benin, Member;
- Mrs. Agnès Kabore, Burkino Faso, Member;
- Mrs. Andrianirainy Rasamoely, Madagascar, Member;
- Mrs. Maryam Uwais, Nigeria, Member