The African Children’s Charter is the primary AU treaty dealing with children’s rights. It has by 2016 been ratified by 47 AU member States. As stipulated in the African Children’s Charter (articles 42 to 45), the African Children’s Committee supervises the implementation by States of its provisions by examining State reports, considering individual communications and undertaking investigative missions. Since its inauguration in 2002, the Committee has examined and adopted Concluding Observations on 18 reports. In 2014, a record number of States submitted their reports, reflecting a stark improvement in State participation and the Committee’s visibility. Of the 47 State parties, 11 had by 2016 never submitted a State report to the African Children’s Committee. By contrast, all these States have submitted at least their initial reports to the UN CRC Committee. The African Children’s Committee has finalised only three communications. It has also undertaken a number of country missions, including one to Tanzania to investigate claims of violence against children living with albinism.

By 2040:

• The African Children’s Charter is effectively domesticated and implemented across the continent.
• The African Children’s Rights Committee is well- known as a champion of children’s rights and functions as the primary continental body for advancing children’s rights.
• The African Children’s Charter enjoys full continental acceptance, and there are no reservations to the Charter.
• All State parties regularly submit state reports to the African Children’s Committee.
• The State reporting and communications procedures are effective tools for realising children’s rights and for holding governments accountable to their obligations in respect of children.
• TheAfrican Children’s Committee interprets the African Children’s Charter as an autochthonous instrument, in the best interests of children.
• The principles and provisions of the African Children’s Charter are made widely known to children and adults alike.