Thursday 23rd OCTOBER 2025
Banjul, The Gambia
The African Disability Forum (ADF) is proud to announce that it has been granted Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)- a historic milestone that recognizes persons with disabilities as key actors in Africa’s human rights landscape.
The announcement was made during the 85th Ordinary Session of the Commission, held in Banjul, The Gambia. This status elevates ADF’s position within the Commission, strengthening its ability to engage meaningfully, represent, and amplify the voices of over 80 million persons with disabilities through its 49 National Umbrella OPDs, 10 regional OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs.
This recognition comes at a critical time when organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) across Africa are calling for the full implementation and continental ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and for stronger accountability for human rights violations against persons with disabilities.
“On behalf of the African Disability Forum and our member organizations, I welcome this significant recognition of our collective efforts to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa,” said Idriss Maiga, President of ADF. “Our goal is to ensure that persons with disabilities and their organizations are at the table, influencing the agenda-nothing about us without us. We will leverage our experience engaging with UN human rights mechanisms to advance the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol.”
According to Auberon Jeleel Odoom, ADF Secretary General, the Observer Status enables ADF to formally engage with the Commission’s sessions and mechanisms, contribute expert input on disability rights, and collaborate with Commissioners and partners to advance implementation of the African Disability Protocol.
“Through this platform, ADF can now present statements, submit reports, and monitor state compliance with disability-related human rights obligations under the African Charter and other regional instruments,” said Odoom.
Shuaib Chalken, Executive Director of ADF, described the achievement as a defining moment for the continent’s disability movement. “The granting of Observer Status by the African Commission marks a significant milestone for ADF and the broader disability community in Africa. We will use this platform to hold governments accountable, promote inclusive human rights standards, and ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are fully realized.”
Adding a gendered perspective, Robinah Alambuya, East Africa Representative of Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA), highlighted the importance of this milestone for women with disabilities. “ADF’s Observer Status opens the door for women with disabilities and their organizations to amplify their voices before the Commission. It ensures that our priorities are visible, our contributions recognized, and our solutions grounded in the lived realities of African women with disabilities.”
ADF looks forward to working closely with the African Commission and other human rights actors to ensure that disability rights remain central to Africa’s human rights agenda.
About ADF
The African Disability Forum (ADF) is the continental membership organization of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Africa, established in 2014. ADF’s membership includes its 49 National Umbrella OPDs, 10 regional OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. ADF works to unify and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities across the continent, advancing their rights, inclusion, and full participation in all aspects of life. The list of member organizations can be found here.
For further information contact:
Shitaye Astawes – Director of Advocacy and Communications
sastawes@adf-secretariat.org / +251 934966573
