The Secretariat of the African Decade is happy to announce that more African states have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Uganda ratified both the Convention as well as its Optional Protocol in September 2008, and this brings to 10 the number of African countries that have ratified the UNCRPD. We would like to congratulate the people of Uganda for their extensive efforts and would further like to encourage other countries to continue lobbying and advocating their governments to ratify the Convention.

The Secretariat shall continue to monitor the ratification process and shall work closely with Governments and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) in facilitating the process of harmonising the UNCRPD with national legislation and policies.

The Secretariat is currently developing a disability index that will help agencies monitor a wide range of sectors and assist in monitoring the actual enjoyment of rights by persons with disabilities. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at: nikiwe@africandecade.co.za or at: info@africandecade.co.za

African Countries that have ratified the UN CONVENTION

Egypt - 14 April 2008
Gabon - 1 October 2007
Guinea - 8 February 2008
Kenya - 19 May 2008
Mali - 7 April 2008
Namibia - 4 December 2007
Niger - 24 June 2008
South Africa - 30 November 2007
Tunisia - 2 April 2008
Uganda - 25 September 2008

African Countries that have ratified the OPTIONAL PROTOCOL

Guinea - 8 February 2008
Mali - 7 April 2008
Namibia - 4 December 2007
Niger - 24 June 2008
South Africa - 30 November 2008
Tunisia - 2 April 2008
Uganda - 25 September 2008