The 47th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child kicked of in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho on the 17th of April 2026. The Session opened with remarks from H.E. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho,
Remarks from the AU Special Envoy on Children Affected by Armed Conflict
"I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I assume my role as the Special Envoy of the African Union on Children Affected by Armed Conflict. I am acutely aware of the gravity of this mandate and the immense challenges that lie ahead, but I am equally filled with hope and conviction that together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of the children whose futures are being stolen by the horrors of conflict."
Amb. Jainaba Jagne, AU Special Envoy on Children Affected by Armed Conflict
Remarks from Chairperson of the African National Network of Human Rights Institutions
"NANHRI remains deeply concerned about the severe impact of conflict on children’s access to education. In Sudan, for instance, more than eight million children are out of school because of ongoing hostilities, making it one of the most acute education crises globally."
Chairperson of the African National Network of Human Rights Institutions
Remarks from Child Representative from Lesotho
"As children we are grateful that the committee holds the member states accountable by hosting this reporting sessions which are reminder and a time for member states to reflect and introspect on how they respond issues affecting children."
Liekolo Montsi
Remarks from Representative of OHCHR
"Across regions, OHCHR offices are engaging children and young people directly, with a particular
focus on participation, empowerment & access to human rights mechanisms, and on
connecting these experiences back to regional and international human rights frameworks."
Remarks from Representative of UNICEF Dr. Laila Omar Gad
"The decisions and investments made now will determine whether future generations are protected, empowered, and able to realize their full potential."
The session was graced by remarks from Mr Kgomontso Montso, Representative of the CSO Forum, Prof James Mouangue Kobila, Chairperson of NANHRIs, Hon Pitso Lesaoana, Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development- the Kingdom of Lesotho, and Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Re-elected and newly elected members of the committee took their oath of office.
Newly elected members of the committee term of office - February 2026 to February 2031
- Hon. Satang Nabaneh
- Hon. Albab Tesfaye
- Hon. Wael Abdel-Razek
Re-elected members of the committee term of office - February 2026 to February 2031
- Hon. Wilson Almeida Adão
- Hon. Anne Musiwa
- Hon. Joseph Sunday Sinnah
- Hon. Robert Doya Nanima
Launch of the ACERWC’s Study on Harmful Practices:
Drawing on experiences in 10 country, the study highlights that harmful practices persist because of implementation gaps, weak accountability, deeply entrenched social, cultural, and religious norms, & weak harmonization of legislation within countries. We see the continued coexistence of statutory, customary, and religious systems that, in some instances, undermine one another, creating ambiguity where clarity and protection are needed.
"The responsibility to end Harmful Practices is shared across Member States, NHRIs, CSOs, NGOS, communities, and individuals - each of us has a role to play in translating the recommendations provided in the Study into action."
Hon. Hermine Kembo
Launch of the ACERWC Guiding Note on Reporting on the Rights and Welfare of Children with Albinism (CWA):
"The Committee has focused on children with albinism for a while now, even before the establishment of the Working Group on Children with Disabilities. Investigation mission conducted to Tanzania in 2015 and Malawi in 2022 where it observed some challenges and provided recommendations. We also held a Day of General Discussion during the 43rd Ordinary Session in April 2024 focusing on solutions for the challenges faced by children with albinism. From these engagements, the Committee noted the lack of evidence and data about children with albinism which further affects the implementation of targeted interventions leaving them invisible in reports, policies, and budgets."
Hon. Anne Musiwa, Chairperson of the Working Group on Children With Disabilities
Strengthening Partnerships for Children’s Rights in Africa
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their collaboration. This partnership seeks to reinforce accountability structures and foster cooperation essential to advancing children’s rights at the national level.
Consideration of State Party Reports
During the session, the Committee reviewed:
- The 2nd Periodic Report of the State of Eritrea
- The 1st Periodic Report of the Republic of Burundi
- The 3rd Periodic Report of the Republic of Kenya
These reports focused on the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Consideration of Complementary Reports
The committee considered complimentary reports from CSOs from Mauritania, The Gambia:
- The CSO Coalition of Mauritania presented its Complementary Report to Mauritania’s First Periodic Report, engaging in constructive discussions with the Committee.
- The Committee examined the Complementary Report on the Initial Report of the Republic of The Gambia during the 47th Ordinary Session.
Panel Discussions, Consultations, and Presentations
A series of thematic engagements enriched the session:
- Day of the African Child 2026: Panel on the theme of DAC 2026 “Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for every child in Africa.”
- Ending Child Marriage in Africa: Equality Now and Girls Not Brides hosted discussions on financing, enforcement, legal protections, and accountability.
- Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Consultations on violence against children in preparation for the 2nd Ministerial Conference on VAC.
- African Child Policy Forum (ACPF): Presentation of findings from “Terrorism, Security & Childhood in Africa: Why Counter-Terrorism Must Put Children First.”
- Draft General Comment on Article 13: Focused on the rights of children with disabilities, with the consultant presenting the inception report.
- Save the Children: Guidance on integrating environment and climate change issues into the reporting cycle of the ACRWC.
- Conversation with AU Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict: H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne engaged with the Committee.
- Agenda 2040 Assessment: Prof. Frans Viljoen presented ACERWC’s second-phase evaluation report.
- AUC Child Care Conference Outcomes: Presented by HHS.