Africa’s human rights institutions are electing leaders. Why this matters

Africans everywhere should show interest in the outcome of the African Union’s elections for its human rights institutions.

By: Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Tufts University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 19, 2026

Words: 1,002

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Tufts University

Member states of the African Union (AU) will hold their most consequential election of the year in February 2026, to fill ten vacancies in continental human rights institutions.

They will elect three experts to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and seven to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

These individuals will serve on the committee for five years …

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