AU Commissioner Highlights Critical Role of Early Warning in Human Rights Protection at Pan-African Training

Commissioner, Prof. Remy Ngoy Lumbu, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), has underscored the importance of early warning systems in protecting human rights.

According to the Commissioner, such systems are essential tools for civil society actors and human rights defenders, enabling them to detect risks, respond proactively, and mitigate threats before they escalate.

Speaking at a high-level regional training hosted by the Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD), Prof. Ngoy Lumbu emphasized that the two-day workshop, held from November 14–15, 2025, at the Mensvic Grand Hotel, East Legon, Accra, was not merely a theoretical exercise, but a practical platform aimed at producing measurable impact across Africa.

“It is you, the participants, who will gather the ideas shared here and extend them to your colleagues, organizations, and networks across the continent,” he stated, commending RFLD and its partners for mobilizing the necessary human, financial, and material resources to convene over 30 participants from various civil society organizations.

The training, organized by RFLD with support from EU SEE, ACHPR, WADEMOS, and WACSI, focused on human rights risk detection, early warning mechanisms, and advocacy strategies.

Participants engaged in case studies, group exercises, role-playing scenarios, multimedia presentations, and testimonies from experienced practitioners, equipping them with practical tools to strengthen their response to threats in increasingly constrained civic spaces.

Mr. John Gbenagnon, Senior Officer at RFLD in charge of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, outlined the objectives and agenda of the training.

“This workshop is designed to empower defenders to identify early warning signals, analyze risk indicators, and translate them into actionable advocacy strategies,” he said.

“Through interactive exercises, case studies, and collaborative discussions, participants will leave with skills they can immediately apply within their organizations and communities.”

By the conclusion of the workshop, participants had developed a comprehensive understanding of early warning systems architecture, acquired practical skills in data collection and analysis, and learned to transform early warnings into effective advocacy strategies.

They also produced organizationally relevant action plans to implement these strategies in their respective contexts.

Dr. Pascal Dohou of CIVICUS highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration and regional learning. “Although CIVICUS is a global program, today we are here as an African team.

Your commitment over these two days will ensure that defenders are equipped to respond effectively to emerging threats,” he said.

Paul Osei Kuffour of WADEMOS described the timing of the training as crucial given the rising reprisals against activists in West Africa.

“With the weaponization of civic space, defenders must rethink, reimagine, and rekindle their strategies,” he said, noting that WADEMOS was established by CDD-Ghana to address democratic backsliding, cross-border repression, and resurgent military coups.

Representing Hivos East Africa, Onyonge Mengo emphasized the importance of data-driven advocacy, noting that EU SEE supports civil society in 86 countries and that this initiative would strengthen ACHPR and other continental mechanisms in leveraging reliable data for human rights advocacy.

Omolara Balogun of WACSI stressed the need for civil society resilience amid disruptions to democracy. “As some global partners gradually retreat, African civil society must assume greater leadership in driving justice, accountability, and people-centered development,” she said.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment among participants and partners to strengthen cross-country collaboration, reinforce early warning networks, and promote evidence-based advocacy.

RFLD affirmed that the strategies and skills shared would significantly contribute to defending and expanding civic space, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized communities, across Africa.

 

Source:Joseph Wemakor