Operating from Arusha, Tanzania, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has just ushered in a new panel of leadership, with the election of Justice Modibo Sacko from Mali, as the institution’s new President.
Judge Modibo Sacko takes over from Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud from Tanzania, who was the President of the Court for the last five years after being elected in 2021.
On the other hand, Justice Modibo Sacko of Mali served under Lady Justice Aboud as her Vice President and the latter now takes over as the new President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
Meanwhile Justice Bensaoula Chafika from Algeria has been voted to become the new Vice President of the African Court, succeeding Justice Sacko of Mali.
The new court officials were voted by a panel of 11 judges who usually elects a new president and vice president, via secret ballot.
The voting exercise took place at the AfCHPR premises in Majengo, Arusha, where the court convenes for its 77th Ordinary Session.
The successful candidates have therefore replaced Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud of Tanzania and Justice Modibo Sacko of Mali, whose respective terms as President and Vice President concluded on Monday, the 2nd of June 2025.
Justice Aboud was first elected as the court’s president in 2021, succeeding Justice Sylvain Oré of Côte d’Ivoire. She held the position until 2023, when she was re-elected for another two-year term. She remains the only East African woman Justice to hold the position.
Sacko was similarly elected in 2021 before securing another two-year term in 2023. He succeeded Justice Blaise Tchikaya from the Republic of Congo.
Judges that participated in the voting exercise included the former president Justice Aboud and the new President Justice Sacko, along with Justices Blaise Tchikaya (Congo-Brazzaville), Rafaâ Ben Achour (Tunisia), and Tujilane Rose Chizumila (Malawi).
Also participating were Justices Dumisa Ntsebeza (South Africa), Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam (Nigeria), Lady Justice Ntyam Ondo Mengue (Cameroon), Lady Justice Bensaoula Chafika (Algeria), Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei (Ghana) and Justice Duncan Gaswaga (Uganda).
They usually elect the successful candidates from amongst themselves.
The President of the Court resides and works full time at the seat of the Court, while the other ten Judges work on a part-time basis.
AfCHPR was established to protect and promote human and peoples’ rights across Africa, in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
It was created through a protocol adopted in 1998 and became operational in 2006, with its seat based in Arusha, Tanzania. The Court works alongside the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, offering binding rulings on cases involving alleged human rights violations.
The court’s 11 judges are elected by the African Union’s Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
They serve in their personal capacity and are selected based on their integrity and expertise in human rights law.
The Court can hear cases filed by states, the Commission, and intergovernmental organizations.
In specific cases, individuals and NGOs with observer status before the Commission may also bring cases, provided the concerned state has accepted this under Article 34(6) of the Protocol.