Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad, Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture of the African Union, is motivated to serve the people of Africa after six years with the African Union Commission. With 25 years’ experience in the protection of human rights, he focuses on press freedom. In December 2020, the African Commission adopted a resolution on the safety of journalists, and Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad reminds States of their commitments regarding the decriminalisation of press offences. He explains that the African Governance Architecture, adopted in 2011, promotes good governance, democracy and respect for human rights to prevent conflict on the continent.
Serving the people of Africa through the development of a solid governance architecture within the African Union is the main motivation of Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad, Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture of the African Union. He joined the Human Rights Segment of the African Union’s Department of Political Affairs six years ago.
‘Africa, as we all know, has faced many challenges, from slavery and colonialism to apartheid, genocide and civil wars. This is why our Heads of State and Government have decided to adopt Agenda 2063 to build the Africa we want and the Africa we deserve’.
Salah SIDDIG HAMMAD, Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture – Egypt
In 2024, more than 130 million people are facing humanitarian emergencies due to conflict, the threat of terrorism and the effects of climate change. This flood of refugees and internally displaced people in 14 countries across the continent saw only a third of their needs covered in 2023. Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad is concerned about this situation.
‘As Africans, once united, we will become a power in international forums. Furthermore, we will enable African citizens, and African youth in particular, to move freely across the continent, to reside wherever they wish and to establish a new life there’
Salah SIDDIG HAMMAD, Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture – Egypt
Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad has more than 25 years’ experience of fighting for respect for human rights, and is particularly interested in press freedom in Africa. On 29 December 2020, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a resolution on the safety of journalists and media professionals in Africa. The Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture of the African Union has made it his mission to remind the States Parties of their commitments, in particular the decriminalisation of press offences and the revision of laws guaranteeing freedom of expression.
‘It’s not just about ratifying the treaty, it’s also about mainstreaming it, implementing it and reporting on it, as well as making sure that we are really on track to implement this important treaty at the national level’.
Salah SIDDIG HAMMAD, Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture – Egypt
The African Governance Architecture was adopted by the Member States of the African Union in 2011. This mechanism promotes common African values such as good governance, democracy, fair and equitable elections and respect for human rights. According to Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad, the aim of these values is to prevent conflicts on the African continent.
