The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (UP), is delighted that one of its alumni has been elected as the Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 65th Ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia.

Dr Solomon Ayele Dersso obtained his Master’s degree in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA) at UP in 2003. Dr Dersso, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law at the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, served until his appointment as Chair as a Commissioner of the African Commission. He is also the Chair of the Working Group on Extractive Industries in Africa and the Executive Director of Amani Africa Media and Research.

Dr Solomon Dersso (2003 alumnus) is the Chairperson of the African Commission and Marie Saine (2005 alumna) is the Acting Secretary of the African Commission

We congratulate Dr Dersso on this monumental achievement and trust that his contribution to the African Commission will be paramount to the promotion and protection of human rights on the continent.