ACHPR/RES.184(EXT.OS/IX)2011:Resolution on Electoral Processes and
Participatory Governance in Africa
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right (the African
Commission) meeting at its 9th Extra-ordinary Session held in Banjul, The
Gambia, from 23 February to 3 March 2011;
RECALLING its mandate under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights (African Charter) to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in
Africa;
CONSIDERING Article 13(1) of the African Charter which stipulates that “every
citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his/her country,
either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions
of the law”;
MINDFUL of the significant progress made by the African Union through the
adoption in 2002 of the Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic
Elections in Africa which stipulates that “the holding of democratic elections
constitutes an important dimension in the prevention, management and resolution of
conflicts” and also by the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy,
Elections and Governance in January 2007;
AWARE OF the decisions of the African Union on unconstitutional changes of
government, notably the decisions of the Assembly: Assembly/AU/Dec.220
(XII); and Assembly/AU/Dec.253 (XIII), adopted during its twelfth and
thirteenth Sessions held respectively in Addis Ababa from 1 to 4 February 2009,
and in Sirte from 1 to 4 July 2009;
RECALLING Resolutions: ACHPR/Res.133 (XXXXIIII) 08 on Elections in Africa
adopted at its 44th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria,
from 10 to 24 November 2008; and Resolution ACHPR/Res.164(XLVII) 10 on 2010
Elections in Africa, adopted at its 47th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, the
Gambia from 12 to 26 May 2010,
NOTING that the primary purpose of elections is to achieve participatory
governance without violence;
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