Date :5/5/2026
Ref: ADF 229/2026
Subject: African disability Forum (ADF) Official Statement on the Situation of Persons with Disabilities in Africa at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Observer Status No.588
87th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
11- 20 May 2026
Banjul, The Gambia
Honourable Commissioners,
The African Disability Forum (ADF) welcomes this opportunity to address the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on the critical issue of promoting and protecting the rights of approximately 80 million persons with disabilities in Africa.ADF is an umbrella organization comprising 10 continental, 4 sub-regional and 49 national umbrella federations of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in 48 African countries.
Honourable Commissioners, allow me to acknowledge the progress we have made in the region over the last year. ADF welcomes the granting of observer status Number 588 during the 85th Ordinary Session. By granting this Observer Status, the Commission facilitates participation and engagement of a wide constituency of persons with disabilities from 48 countries in Africa and expands their civic space. For instance, this year, our members from Kenya and Mauritius have submitted shadow reports ahead of the country reviews. We hope the information will be helpful as the Commission considers human rights situations in these countries and that substantive recommendations shall be issued to guide implementation of rights of persons with disabilities.
Honourable Commissioners, this year we mark the 45TH anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. As a movement, we acknowledge that it is through Article 18 (4) of the Charter that states obligations to protect, promote and fulfil were first guaranteed. Today, as I speak there are many gains that we are proud of including the coming into force of African Disability Protocol and explicit recognition of persons with disabilities in Agenda 2063 framework.
Despite this progress, 80 million persons with disabilities in Africa continue to face significant challenges. 45 years later, a learner with intellectual disability cannot be admitted in a mainstream school due to lack of inclusive facilities, stigma and discrimination, and curriculum that directs her to a different pathway. A pregnant woman with disability in a conflict torn zone cannot access maternal health services due to humanitarian crisis and breakdown of health systems. A person with psychosocial disabilities is still shackled in a church and cannot decide on his health. Furthermore, funding for disability inclusive programs and initiatives remains critically insufficient, stalling progress across the continent. These are the daily realities for millions in the region. This situation must change. Financing disability inclusion is meagre.
Honourable Commissioners, at the 85th session of the African Commission, ADF was privileged to participate in a panel by the Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa. During this panel, we raised our concerns about accessibility of the ordinary sessions. We urge the Commission to accelerate the process of ensuring accessibility is guaranteed for all persons with disabilities including provision of sign language interpretation and provision of session materials in alternative language including in plain language.
As I close, I would like to emphasize the importance of continental ratification of the African Disability Protocol. To date about 16 countries have ratified the Protocol. We welcome the regional workshop on the ratification of the regional human rights instruments that was held last year. We remain optimistic as additional efforts will be made to increase ratification of the Protocol.
ADF commits to continue advancing rights of persons with disabilities and expresses its commitment to collaborate with the Commission.
I thank you.
Best Regards,
Komivi Ayassou
ADF Executive Council Member
