CRPD Ratifications in West Africa

[fr]Parmi les 10 ratifications enregistrées depuis le début de l’année par le Secrétariat de la Convention, 6 sont le fruit de pays africains, dont 3 ouest-africains. [en]6 out of the 10 ratifications registered with the Secretariat of the Convention since the beginning of the year were by African countries (among whom 3 are West African).

More importantly, among West African countries that ratified are some SIR member countries, Benin and Liberia. They are the last to join the project in 2011 [1] and both have transferred ratification decisions to the Secretariat in last July. Benin, whose parliament authorized the ratification on August 26, 2011, eventually completed its ratification on July 5, 2012 . Liberia finally realized its ratification process on July 26, 2012, even though the Convention was ratified by Parliament on September 9, 2008, and signed by the President on October 6, 2008.

Cape Verde, another member of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) ratified the Convention on October 10, 2011. And in 2012, Ghana ratified the Convention on July 31. Mauritania, a neighboring country which is often considered as being part of West Africa, eventhough it withdrew from the ECOWAS, registered the ratification by the Secretariat on April 3. A little further to the east of the continent this year, Mozambique and Djibouti also ratified the Convention on January 30 and June 18, respectively.

To date, the Convention has recorded 153 signatures and 119 ratifications, while the Optional Protocol has gained 90 ratifications and 72 signatures.

CRPD Ratifications in West Africa