The African Court Judges
- Source: AU Commission News Issue 12 Sep 2006
The first Judges of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights were elected on the 22nd of January 2006 at the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, held in Khartoum, Sudan. The eleven Judges took the oath of office on the 2nd of July 2006 during the Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Union's Heads of Government in Banjul, The Gambia.
The First eleven Judges included: Judge Gerard Niyungeko (Burundi) who was President of the Court until September 2008; Judge Modibo Tounty Guindo (Mali), Vice-President of the Court until September 2008, Judge Sophia A.B. Akuffo (Ghana), Judge Hamdi Faraj Fanoush (Libya), Judge El. Hadj Guisse (Senegal), Judge George W. Kanyeihamba (Uganda), Judge Kelello Justina Mafoso-Guni (Lesotho), Judge Jean Mutsinzi (Rwanda), Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe (South Africa), Judge Fatsah Ouguergouz (Algeria) and Judge Jean Emile Somda (Burkina Faso).
Following elections of Judges during the 11th AU Summit, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the current Judges are:
1. Hon. Judge Sophia A.B. Akuffo (Ghana)
2. Hon. Judge Hamdi Faraj Fanoush (Libya)
3. Hon. Judge Modibo Tounty Guindo (Mali)
4. Hon. Judge El. Hadj Guisse (Senegal)
5. Hon. Judge Kelello Justina Mafoso-Guni (Lesotho)
6. Hon. Judge Githu Muigai (Kenya)
7. Hon. Judge Joseph Nyamihana Mulenga (Uganda)
8. Hon. Judge Jean Mutsinzi (Rwanda)
9. Hon. Judge Gerard Niyungeko (Burundi)
10. Hon. Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe (South Africa)
11. Hon. Judge Fatsah Ouguergouz (Algeria)
The President of the Court is, Hon. Judge Jean Mutsinzi (Rwanda) while Hon. Judge Sophia A.B. Akuffo (Ghana) is the Court's Vice-President. The President and Vice-President are elected for a term of two years and may be re-elected only once.