The African Court on Human and People's Rights is expected to move to its new premises in Laki-Laki Hills, Arusha, near the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, in 2027. The new building, which is currently under construction, will provide a permanent home for the court, which has been operating from temporary offices in Arusha. The relocation was initially planned for 2026, but has been delayed due to the need for final touches to be completed on the new premises.
The African Court on Human and People's Rights has been operating from temporary offices located at the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) buildings in Arusha. Prior to this, the court was hosted at the Arusha International Conference Center (AICC) when it first moved to Arusha in 2006. The court's new premises are being constructed at a cost of approximately USD 25,792,811, with the Tanzanian government allocating a budget of USD 1.7 million in June 2022 and an additional USD 2 million in June 2023.
The African Court on Human and People's Rights recently completed its 82nd Ordinary Session at its main seat in Arusha, where it handled 29 legal matters from various countries across the continent. During the session, which took place from August 31 to September 25, 2026, the court delivered six decisions and conducted 14 compliance reviews, as well as judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative matters. The court's judges took on a busy program, handling nine cases at different stages of consideration.
The President of the African Court, Honorable Justice Blaise Tchikaya, emphasized the importance of judges and the registry working together to deliver the program within the scheduled four weeks during the opening of the session. The court is set to continue planning and implementing activities marking its 20th anniversary, which includes a year-long series of initiatives being held across the continent to highlight its achievements, challenges, and contribution to the protection of human and people's rights.
The African Court on Human and People's Rights has several cases pending, including Application No. 027/2019, involving Goore Bi Youzan Jean versus the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, and case number 031/2020, pitting Ibrahim Touré against the Republic of Mali. The court is also handling application No. 014/2021, involving Souleymane Camara versus the Republic of Mali, and case number 003/2022, involving Mohamed Al Bousifi versus the Republic of Niger.
The African Court on Human and People's Rights was established by African countries and is located in Tanzania to ensure the protection of human and people's rights in Africa. The court complements and reinforces the functions of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights and was established pursuant to Article 1 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The African Court on Human and People's Rights is composed of 11 judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union, elected in their individual capacity. The court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions. To mark its 20th anniversary, the court will hold a colloquium, as well as the 3rd Tripartite Judicial Dialogue and 7th African Union Judicial Dialogue.
Key points
- The African Court on Human and People's Rights is set to relocate to its new premises in Laki-Laki Hills, Arusha, Tanzania, in 2027.
- The court's new premises are being constructed at a cost of approximately USD 25,792,811.
- The African Court on Human and People's Rights has completed its 82nd Ordinary Session, handling 29 legal matters from various countries across the continent.
