Congolese judge Blaise Tchikayo elected new President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

The newly elected President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Justice Blaise Tchikaya, has stated that he is looking to collaborate with stakeholders to further strengthen the African Court’s role in the protection of human and peoples’ rights across the continent, while addressing the challenges facing the Court.

The Honourable Justice Tchikaya of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) was elected on Monday to serve the remainder of the two-year term, running through mid 2027, of outgoing President, Justice Modibo Sacko of Mali. Lady Justice Bensaoula Chafika of Algeria will continue as Vice-President of the Court for the 2025-2027 term.

“I assume this responsibility with a profound sense of duty to uphold the mandate of the Court,” said Justice Tchikaya. “As we prepare for the launch of the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Court, I look forward to working closely with my fellow Judges, the Registry, staff and all stakeholders to reflect on the Court’s achievements and address existing challenges as we further strengthen the Court’s role in the protection of human and peoples’ rights across the continent.”

Based in Arusha, Tanzania, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights was originally established via a protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights that was adopted in Burkina Faso in 1998, and entered into force in 2004 after ratification by 15 African nations. The Court officially began operations in 2006.

The judicial arm of the African Union, the Court is one of the three regional human rights courts (along with the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights), and was established to protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa through judicial consideration of human rights complaints.

It has delivered more than 450 decisions over the past twenty years, including more than 278 judgments and 185 orders. Recently it ordered the Kenyan government to “take immediate steps and act without delay” to protect the rights of the indigenous Ogiek people in a longstanding dispute over their ancestral lands and community.

Justice Tchikaya was first elected as a judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in July 2018. He served as Vice-President in 2021-2023.

A graduate of the Marien N’Gouabi University of Brazzaville, with a first class honours Doctorate in International Public Law from Paris X-Nanterre University, Justice Tchikaya has also been a Professor and Senior Lecturer in international public law, international litigation procedures and human rights in the Inter-American system and in African Union laws in various European, Caribbean, and African Universities.

He has also previously served as the first President of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL), after the new continental body was established in 2009, and as the Special Rapporteur on the “Misdeeds of the Trans-Atlantic Slavery against Africa from the perspective of International law”, and has published several books, including on topics of international law jurisprudence and the African Union.

While no reason was given for Justice Modibo Sacko of Mali standing down as President of the African Court, to be replaced for the remainder of the 2025-2027 term by Justice Tchikaya, the Court announced Justice Sacko would continue serving on the bench as a Judge of the Court. In his outgoing address, Justice Sacko expressed his sincere gratitude to his fellow Judges, the Registry, staff and all stakeholders for their steadfast support and cooperation during his tenure.

On behalf of the Court, the new President expressed his appreciation to outgoing President Justice Sacko for his leadership and service during his tenure as President.