ENACT convened a seminar on 17 April 2024, in Banjul, The Gambia to launch the research report “Understanding the African Commission’s Role in Combating TOCs in Africa” authored by Dr. Feyi Ogunade of the Institute of Security Studies, a consortium member of the ENACT project. During the seminar, stakeholders urged the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to take an active role in combating TOC on the continent.
Mr. Raphaël Brigandi, Chargé d’affaires of the EU in The Gambia, highlighted ENACT’s dedication to enhancing Africa’s capacity to combat organised crime by raising awareness, generating evidence-based knowledge, and providing technical expertise to governments and regional institutions underscoring the challenges faced by the African Commission, including resource constraints and institutional capacity, he stressed the need to strengthen the Commission’s role in combatting organised crime.
The seminar, attended by local and regional media, legal bodies, human rights organisations, and civil society, shed light on the threat posed by TOC to peace, security, and human rights on the continent. The report examines the Commission’s approaches to combating TOC within the African human rights system, utilising internal mechanisms and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to address TOC in the region.
The study highlights the essential role of the African Commission as Africa’s regional human rights body in combating TOC, emphasising the violation of core human rights norms by transnational organised crime. It underscored the importance of collaboration between civil society organisations and regional human rights bodies in combatting these crimes. While the Charter does not explicitly mention combating TOC, the Commission has assumed this role, supported by Africa’s highest Policy Organs, and has dealt with TOC matters effectively.
The report recommends several measures for the Commission to enhance its role in combating TOC, including formally extending its mandate, establishing a TOC unit, adopting a systematic approach, and implementing clear procedures for tracking and follow-up. By aligning efforts with other regional and international organisations, African states can strengthen their responses to TOC, promote accountability, and protect the rights of individuals and communities.
The seminar and the launch of the research report provide valuable insights for policymakers, human rights defenders, and the public in understanding the complex relationship between TOC and human rights violations, paving the way for more effective strategies in combatting organised crime in Africa.
