Nomination and selection of
the Members of the African
Committee of Experts on the
Rights and Welfare of the Child
7th CSO Forum on the African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare
of the Child (ACRWC)
November 2012 Nairobi, Kenya
Who is eligible to be a
Committee member?
The Committee has eleven members who are elected by the AU Assembly, on
the advice of the Executive Council, to serve a five year team and who
cannot be re-elected on completion of their term.
The African Charter (Art.33) states that they must be ‘of high moral standing,
integrity, impartiality and competence in matters of the rights and welfare
of the child.’
They serve on a voluntary basis and in an independent capacity, not as
representatives of their government. They are supported in their work by a
small Secretariat based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They come from many
different backgrounds including civil society, academia or state institutions.
(Cf. Folder for biographies of the current Members).
However, according to the Rule 11 (Rules of Procedure of the ACERWC) and in
order to maintain their independence, members shall not be part of an
inter-governmental organization, UN agency or hold any politically
binding position such as Cabinet Minister, Deputy Minister, Member of
Parliament or Ambassador.
How are Committee members
nominated and elected? (1)
Nomination by states (Art.35 of the African Children’s Charter)
Each State Party can nominate a maximum of two candidates. However,
no two members of the Committee can be from the same state which
means that when two candidates are nominated by a State, one of them
shall not be a national of that State.
Foreign ministers and the representatives of permanent missions to the AU
are asked to submit the names and CVs of their nominated candidates
to the AU Commission’s Office of the Legal Counsel at least two months
before the election is to be held.
The process of candidate election will vary from state to state and the best
way to find out who your country is planning to nominate (if anyone) is
to contact your foreign ministry or permanent mission to the AU in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
How are Committee members
nominated and elected? (2)
– States Parties have to ask nominees to complete biographical information
indicating their judicial, practical, academic, activist, professional and other
relevant experience in the field of children ’s rights. This biographical
information should also include information on political and other
associations relevant to determining questions of both eligibility and
incompatibility. In addition, nominees have to submit statements indicating
how they fulfill the criteria for eligibility contained in the Charter.
Who elects the members?
– Members are elected by the Executive Council (comprised of the foreign
ministers of AU member states) by secret ballot in a meeting held just prior
to the AU Summit.
– Their decision is then passed to the AU Assembly for final approval and
adoption (Article 34 of the Charter).
When are the next elections?
– The most recent elections of New Committee member was at the AU
Summit held in January 2011 when Ms. Dawlat Hassan (EGYPT) ended
her term of office. Prof Julie Sloth Nelsen of South Africa was elected
– The next elections will be held in July 2013 when four of the current
members will complete their term (the Committee’s year runs from
July to July).
– By July 2013 Summit the 4 Committee members from Benin, Burkina
Faso, Madagascar and Nigeria will end their terms of Office.
– A list of the current members of the Committee, dates of completion of
their term of office and their short biographies can be found on the
ACERWC and CSO Forum ACRWC website.
How can WE influence the selection
and nomination process?
• Brainstorming Issues:
• Identifying qualified candidates to serve on the
Committee at the country level
• Recommend qualified candidates to your Govt.
• Ensuring that they are the State’s nominee
• Popularize the Selection and Election Process of
ACERWC members at your national level
Thank you for your attention!
Merci de votre attention!
Questions & Comments