The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria welcomes and applauds the recent adoption of the Resolution on Elections in Africa by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission). Resolution ACHPR/Res.655(LXXXVI) 2026 was adopted during the 86th Ordinary Session of the African Commission held from 23 February to 9 March 2026.

The resolution observes that elections will be held in 2026 in eleven State Parties: the Republics of Congo, Benin, Djibouti, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Algeria, Sao Tome & Principe, Zambia, Guinea Bissau, Gambia and Guinea. Several other African countries have already conducted elections earlier in the year. The resolution’s principles therefore remain critically relevant both for upcoming polls and for the evaluation of processes that have already taken place. By recalling Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which guarantees every citizen the right to participate freely in the government of their country, the resolution provides essential guidance on ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections conducted by competent, independent, and impartial electoral bodies.

The resolution is anchored in the Commission’s existing normative frameworks, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and previous resolutions on elections, unconstitutional changes of government and internet shutdowns. It expresses deep concern over widespread human rights violations reported in the context of elections in 2025, including in the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Cameroun, as well as the interruption of elections in Guinea Bissau by a military coup.

In the resolution, the African Commission:

• Calls on States Parties to ensure adherence with the African Charter, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and other relevant instruments before, during and after the electoral process.
• Urges States to allow opposition parties to participate freely and fully, to enable freedom of expression and assembly and to avoid the use of security forces against peaceful protests.
• Calls for respect of constitutional provisions and electoral laws on presidential term limits, as well as the independence and autonomy of national electoral bodies.
• Urges States to prevent, investigate, and prosecute human rights violations occurring in the electoral context and to provide adequate redress to victims.
• Calls on States to cease all internet shutdowns and disruptions to telecommunications services before, during and after elections.
• Urges States to protect the integrity of elections against disinformation and emerging threats, including through robust monitoring systems and clear legal frameworks.
• Reiterates its call on States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and to ensure its effective domestication and implementation.

The Centre calls on States to implement the resolution’s provisions in good faith by respecting term limits, safeguarding the independence of electoral bodies, refraining from internet shutdowns and ensuring that all citizens can exercise their right to political participation without fear or obstruction. The Centre further urges the African Union and regional economic communities to align their electoral observation pronouncements with the standards articulated in this resolution and to support States in building resilient democratic institutions.

The Centre for Human Rights has long been engaged in electoral justice and democratic governance across the continent by undertaking election observation missions, conducting capacity-building for election management bodies and civil society and providing technical assistance on legal frameworks that align with continental standards. This resolution reinforces that work by offering a clear, consolidated statement of the African Commission’s expectations, which can be used to advocate for reforms, inform monitoring activities and hold States accountable. We will continue to support implementation through research, capacity-building and advocacy, and will draw on this resolution to strengthen our engagement on electoral processes in 2026 and beyond.

For more information please contact:

Belinda Matore
Project Officer: EIDR UNIT
br.matore@up.ac.za

OR

Ivy Gikonyo
ivy.gokonyo@up.ac.za