by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A coalition of African Civil Society Organizations group has strongly condemned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for congratulating President Paul Biya, following Cameroon’s disputed elections, by sending a letter of congratulations.
The Commission argued that the letter undermined the Commission’s impartiality, especially amid reports of post-election violence and fatalities in Cameroon, according to a statement shared through Media Rights Agenda (MRA) platform.
The statement also criticized the Commission’s silence on similar crises in Tanzania and calls for an end to issuing congratulatory letters to politicians.
The group advised renewed commitment to the African Charter; Independent investigations into election-related human rights abuses; and stronger, proactive responses to crises across Africa.
The statement was signed by members, including PALU, the Centre for Human Rights, and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, among others – urging the Commission to restore public trust by upholding justice, democracy, and human rights.
The statement is entitled, ‘Joint Civil Society Statement: African Commission’s Letter to President Biya.’
It reads: “Civil Society Organizations strongly condemns the African Commission on Human and accountability, and respect for human rights are under severe threat across the continent.
“We note with regret that the Peoples’ Rights (‘African Commission’) on 27 October, 2025, sent letter to President Paul Biya in connection with the electoral process.
“As such, this act represents an incompatibility whose mandate includes investigating and considering allegations of human rights violations of Peoples’ Rights.
The statement averred that, “Congratulatory letter to President Paul Biya and the deepening Crisis of institutions, and the manipulation of its electoral processes have combined to create a climate of corrupt and authoritarian leaders; citizens across the continent have taken to the protests to demand accountability and reforms, often at great personal risk.”