At the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, The Gambia, GFoD senior rights expert Alima Taal delivered a powerful statement addressing a pressing concern in African societies: discrimination based on work and descent. Alima highlighted the caste systems ingrained within various ethnic groups across the continent, including the caste structures within ethnic communities in The Gambia, the Tuareg caste system in western Niger and Mali, and the Osu caste system in Nigeria. She further brought attention to the discrimination faced by the Haratins in Mauritania and the Mbororos in Cameroon.
The statement follows below. You can also watch a news report published by the Gambia Radio & Television Service on Alima Taal by clicking here.
Honourable Chairperson of the ACHPR,
Honourable Commissioners and distinguished delegates,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the Coalition Ivoirienne des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CIDDH) and the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) to address a pressing and deeply concerning issue that continues to plague our societies: discrimination based on work and descent. This practice undermines the principles of equality, dignity, and human rights that are at the core of our shared values.
We cannot ignore the discrimination faced by individuals in various communities across Africa. From the Osu caste system in Nigeria to the challenges faced by persons in the Bellah among the Tuareg community in Mali, the hardships endured by individuals caught in the Wahaya sexual slavery system in Niger, the suppression faced by individuals of the Hratin slave caste in Mauritania, the Jongoo, Dimaajo, Jaam and Kommo among the Mandika, Fula, Wolof and Sarahullah people of Gambia and the slave caste of the Mbororos in Cameroon, the Trotkosi system prevalent in enforcing sexual slavery.
These cases reflect a troubling pattern where individuals are marginalized, subjected to oppression, and stripped of their humanity solely based on their lineage, descent, and occupation.
Chairperson,
A resolution entitled: “Resolution on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Communities Discriminated based on Work and Descent” highlighting this invisibilized practice in Africa was passed by the NGO Forum on the 18th of October 2023, submitted to your attention during the last 77th ordinary session and is now before you for your consideration.
Each of the ethnic groups in Gambia, as mentioned earlier, are influenced by a traditional hierarchical caste structure. This hierarchy is rooted in a caste-like division of labor, with its order reflecting historical patterns of political power and authority within the society’s past.
In Mauritania, the Hratin community, consisting of individuals of Black African or Negro-African origin, comprises freed slaves and their descendants continue to confront a deeply entrenched form of discrimination rooted in their lineage. This discrimination perpetuates a distressing cycle of poverty and servitude, serving as a stark reminder of a historical legacy that has no place in our shared pursuit of justice, equality, and human rights.
The Tuareg caste system, prevalent in western Niger, particularly known for their involvement in the acquisition and trade of Wahaya, often referred to as “sexual slaves” or the “fifth wife,” has a tradition that adheres to a rigid caste hierarchy based on descent. It involves the sale of young girls born in slavery in Tuareg communities and this places limitations on the Wahayas in areas of Marriage, inheritance, occupation etc.nhh
In Nigeria, the Osu caste system perpetuates social divisions based on caste and descent that has persisted for generations. Discrimination against the Osu community restricts their access to education, healthcare, free association, marriage, and opportunities for social and economic advancement. This practice is not only a violation of fundamental human rights but also hampers our collective progress as a people.
A rigid caste-like system operates among the Tuareg of Mali that divides the community into nobles, freeman and slaves Known as Bellah, they were traditionally brought as slaves and worked as unpaid manual labourers, producing goods for their ‘owners’. Although slavery is abolished by law, it is still practised among the Bellah community and has become trans-generational.
The Mbororos are a pastoralist ethnic group in Cameroon primarily engaged in livestock herding, and they face various forms of discrimination and marginalization due to their traditional occupation and descent. They face economic marginalization, land disputes, limited access to education, Healthcare disparity etc.
Chairperson,
Our unwavering commitment to human rights and the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights compels us to take an unyielding stance against any form of discrimination, including those deeply rooted in work and descent. The inherent values of justice, equality, and human dignity that our continent aspires to uphold stand as a testament to our shared vision for a more inclusive and equitable society.
As we convene here today, we reaffirm our dedication to the following recommendations, recognizing that it is through collective action and shared responsibility that we can effect meaningful change:
• Comprehensive Protection Mechanism: Beyond merely establishing protection mechanisms for specific marginalized groups, we must recognize and address the broader issue of discrimination based on work and descent. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of various communities affected, we can work towards a more holistic solution that upholds the rights and dignity of all.
• African Special Interest Group: We propose the establishment of an African special interest group dedicated to addressing the concerns of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent. Such a group would be instrumental in conducting in-depth investigations, fostering dialogue, and formulating policies aimed at rectifying historical injustices.
• Theme for future sessions: To underscore the importance of this issue, we suggest that a future session of the ACHPR be dedicated to the theme of “Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent in Africa.” This thematic focus will allow us to delve deeper into the complexities of this challenge, promote awareness, and facilitate concrete actions to eliminate discrimination.
• Working Group Creation: We earnestly call upon the states to support the creation of a working group specifically tasked with investigating the unique discriminatory practices affecting all Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent. This working group will play a pivotal role in collecting data, assessing the extent of discrimination, and formulating targeted solutions.
• Allocation of a separate budget for the development of communities
