Claiming African Citizenship: Collective Action to End Statelessness in Africa

Pan African Nationality Network (PANN), in collaboration with the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, UNHCR, Southern Africa Nationality Network (SANN), Eastern Africa Nationality Network (EANN), Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA),  Hawiati (MENA Statelessness Network), is pleased to co-host an in-person side event examining how the right to a nationality is protected within the African human rights system and exploring collective civil society actions to eradicate statelessness across the continent.

The session will open with lived experience reflections by Animu A. Risasi, followed by three interconnected segments exploring the legal framework, regional experiences, and strategic civil society responses

Moderator

• Thandeka Chauke — Pan African Nationality Network

Opening Reflections

• Animu A. Risasi — Lived experience reflections on nationality deprivation

Speakers & Panellists

• Ibrahima Kane — Overview of nationality rights within the African human rights system and the AU Protocol

• Robert Waweru — Eastern Africa Nationality Network (EANN)

• Palesa Maloisane — Southern Africa Nationality Network (SANN)

• Louisa Yokmme Ntaji — Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA)

• Christy Chitengu — Pan African Nationality Network (PANN)

• Marin Roman — UNHCR / Global Alliance to End Statelessness Secretariat

Practical Information:

• Date: 9 October 2026
• Time: 10:30 – 12:00
• Location: Novotel Dakar, Senegal (In-Person Event)
• Language & Interpretation: Simultaneous French and English interpretation will be available (please bring your own  device to access the translation audio)

The event will take place on the sidelines of the ACHPR NGO Forum. Please note that this is an exclusively in-person event, open to participants currently on-site in Dakar.