ACmHPR Comm.801/21: Afekuru Animu Risasi Athiei (represented by the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa) v. Republic of South Sudan
Published: 2/Aug/2024
Source: African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Decision adopted by the African Commission’s 80th ordinary session, closing on 2 August 2024, and included within the African Commission’s 56th and 57th Combined Activity Reports adopted on 10 March 2025 and subsequently communicated to the parties.
For background to the case & summary of findings see press release from IHRDA:
“Ms. Amitai, born in South Sudan in 1983, lawfully obtained South Sudanese nationality in 2014 after returning home from exile in Uganda. Her family had fled to Uganda when war broke out in the then Sudan. However, in 2018, her nationality was revoked and her passport and nationality certificate confiscated with no reasons assigned despite several requests. She was later orally informed that the revocation of her nationality was based on claims that she was Ugandan, despite valid documentation confirming her South Sudanese nationality. As a result, she was dismissed from her government employment in the Vice President’s Office and had her appointment as a Member of Parliament in May 2021 revoked 12 days later. Ms. Amitai was rendered stateless, and repeatedly subjected to harassment, arrest, and detention. She was never formally given reasons nor an opportunity to be heard prior to the revocation of her citizenship contrary to the provisions of South Sudan’s Nationality Act of 2011. Efforts to seek redress before national courts proved futile as her case was never set down for hearing despite diligent follow ups. This prompted IHRDA to approach the ACHPR on her behalf.”
Download the decision: https://achpr.au.int/en/decisions-communications/communication-80122