Judge Modibo Sacko Elected New President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

 

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) today successfully held elections for its top leadership positions, resulting in the election of Judge Modibo Sacko from Mali as the new President of the Court. He takes over from outgoing President, Judge Imani Daud Aboud of Tanzania, who concluded her second term in office.

In his first remarks as President, Judge Sacko pledged to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessor and emphasized his commitment to enhancing the Court’s effectiveness, particularly in the implementation of its decisions.

“As Vice President, I was actively involved in planning and executing various strategies. Now, as President, I will ensure their full implementation, including the enforcement of judgments delivered by this Court,” said Judge Sacko.

 

The new Vice President of the Court is Judge Bensaoula Chafika from Algeria, who is expected to work closely with President Sacko in steering the Court’s mandate of promoting and protecting human rights across Africa.

Outgoing President Reflects on Achievements and Challenges

In her farewell speech, outgoing President Judge Imani Daud Aboud highlighted the major achievements realized during her tenure, including diplomatic milestones, international partnerships, and infrastructural progress.

“The election process went smoothly, and I am proud of the legacy I leave behind,” said Judge Aboud. “The new President served as my Vice President in the past term—we have worked closely and brought significant change to this Court.”

One of the most notable achievements under her leadership was the near-completion of the Court’s permanent headquarters, a project that had been in planning for over two decades.

“The permanent building is now ready to be inaugurated in the coming months. This is a major milestone in the Court’s history,” she announced.

The Enforcement Challenge

Despite the progress made, Judge Aboud acknowledged that the greatest challenge facing the Court remains the implementation of its decisions by member states of the African Union.

“The major challenge for this Court is the enforcement of its decisions. The Court lacks direct authority to compel implementation, and this calls for collaborative efforts from other African Union bodies, particularly the Executive Council of Ministers,” she explained.

She further noted:

“This is not a challenge unique to our Court, but one that is common to many African and even international courts.”

A Call to Member States

Judge Aboud called on AU member states to honor and implement the decisions of the Court, stressing that the institution was not created merely in name but with a serious mandate to protect human rights on the continent.

“We are continuing dialogue with African Union leaders to improve the enforcement of this Court’s decisions for the benefit of African citizens,” she said.

“This Court was not established just for its existence, but to actively safeguard and promote human rights in Africa.”

Renewed Vision and Hope

The new leadership under President Modibo Sacko and Vice President Bensaoula Chafika is expected to inject fresh energy into the Court’s operations, with a focus on strengthening accountability, promoting awareness, and enhancing access to justice across Africa.

The African Court now looks forward to expanding its public outreach, raising awareness about its mandate, and ensuring that justice becomes a reality for all citizens across the continent.