The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) has concluded a series of engagements with a visiting Mauritanian delegation comprising Dr El Hacene Abdallah, Consultant, and Ambassador Abdou Ahmed Vall, President of Réseau Unité pour le Développement de Mauritanie.
The mission, which took place from 24 to 29 October 2026, focused on assessing the Centre’s institutional needs and exploring opportunities for partnership and support towards the development of its vacant land and the strengthening of its long-term institutional sustainability.
During the mission, the delegation held extensive discussions with ACDHRS Executive Director, Mrs Hannah Forster and its Adviser, Mr Sadikh Niass, and conducted an assessment of the Centre’s operations, governance structures, programmes, accountability mechanisms, and infrastructure needs. The team also visited the proposed development site, recognising its potential to accommodate modern facilities that would support the Centre’s expanding responsibilities.
As part of the mission, the delegation engaged with the Ambassador of Mauritania to The Gambia, His Excellency Mohamed Lemine Ould Aboye; the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Mr Hussein Thomasi; the Executive Secretary of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), Madam Abiola Idowu-Ojo; ACDHRS Governing Council Member, Ambassador Teneng Mba Jaiteh; and the Human Rights Defenders Network – The Gambia (HRDN The Gambia).
These engagements provided valuable perspectives on the Centre’s longstanding institutional relationships, its independence, and its contribution to advancing human rights and facilitating civil society participation in continental human rights processes.
The discussions reaffirmed the importance of investing in ACDHRS as a regional institution whose work extends beyond The Gambia, particularly through its capacity-building initiatives, research, support for human rights defenders, and the Forum of NGOs participating in the Ordinary Sessions of the African Commission.
ACDHRS appreciates the delegation’s commitment, the constructive engagements with its stakeholders, and the willingness of partners to explore opportunities that will contribute to the Centre’s institutional growth.
The mission marks an important step in advancing discussions on the proposed development of the Centre’s land and its broader vision of building a stronger, more sustainable, and accessible institution capable of serving the African human rights community for generations to come.
