The Indigenous Peoples of
Africa Co-ordinating Committee

IPACC is a network of 135 indigenous peoples’ organisations in 21 African countries. This makes it the largest indigenous peoples’ network in the world. IPACC was legally founded in 1997 when a draft constitution was adopted by the founding members in Geneva, Switzerland during the UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples.

ABOUT IPACC

The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC) is a network of 135 Indigenous peoples’ organisations in 21 African countries. It is a membership organisation. Any legitimate organisation composed of African indigenous peoples is welcome to apply for membership. Other associations working in development, human or Indigenous rights may apply for associate (non-voting) membership. Members elect an Executive Committee representing six geographic and cultural regions in Africa including a special regional representative of Indigenous women. IPACC is accredited with the UN Economic and Social Council, the UN Environment Programme, the Global Environment Facility, UNESCO and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

WHAT WE DO

Human Rights & Gender Equality

IPACC was founded on the principle that indigenous peoples in Africa experience human rights violations, exclusion from decision-making and the political economy and in most cases there is systematic legal and social discrimination.

Environmental & Climate Justice

Most of IPACC’s members are highly-dependent on natural resources. Indigenous peoples in Africa, by definition are living in sensitive ecosystems, using natural resources either for pastoralism or hunting and foraging wild foods.

Indigenous Peoples' Networking

IPACC’s initial purpose and sustaining mission is to be a home and solidarity network for the indigenous peoples of Africa. IPACC was born out of the will of different African indigenous peoples to unite and work together to promote their rights.

23

years of Promoting indigenous peoples' rights in africa.

IPACC was founded to address the most pressing issues facing indigenous peoples in Africa. These are:

  • Human rights violations;
  • Systematic legal and social discrimination; and
  • Exclusion from decision-making and the political economy.

World Heritage Symposium on Post-inscription Management. - Maun, Botswana. February 2019

Background The Okavamgo Delta in Botswana’s Ngamiland is home to several aboriginal San peoples - the Bugakhwe, ||Anikhwe and Ju|’hoansi San.

Gender rights – IPACC launches Indigenous Women’s Council. - Kenya, September 2019

IPACC is proud to announce the establishment of the IPACC Indigenous Women’s Council, launched in Kenya in September 2019, following extensive consultations in IPACC’s six African regions.

43rd Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. - Baku, Azerbaijan, July 2019

Background The International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on World Heritage (IIPFWH) was created by indigenous delegates, including IPACC delegates...

12th Session of the Human Rights Council - Expert Mechanism On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples. - Geneva, Switzerland, July 2019

The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) is a subsidiary body of the Human Rights Council (HRC).

INTERACTIVE MAP OF
Member organizations

Africa Map

Fundraising campaigns

“Keeping Kids at School“ - southern Kalahari

An estimated 500 people live on the farms that fall within the ‡Khomani San land claim. IPACC has launched a crowd-funding initiative to support the ‡Khomani San’s Eland School, in its “Keeping Kids at School ‘’ project.

IPACC, conflict resolution and the establishment of a continent-wide mediation platform.

IPACC is preparing to build a continent-wide mediation platform geared to forge unity within indigenous communities.

“Early Warning System for the prevention of Genocide” against Pygmies in volatile Great Lakes conflict zone.

IPACC is running a crowdfunding campaign to support the early-warning system against genocide in Africa’s Great Lakes region.

OUR SPONSORS

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PETITION TO AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS:

Indigenous Environment Defenders.

Africa’s hunter-gatherer and nomadic pastoralist peoples have lived symbiotically and sustainably within Africa’s ecosystems for millenia. Their Traditional Knowledge Systems are treasure houses of indigenous knowledge.

Under colonialism, African hunters and nomads suffered land dispossession and cultural oppression. In the post-colonial era, they’ve advocated for their land, cultural and human rights.

Now, in this Age of Climate Change, Africa’s hunter-gatherer and nomadic pastoralist peoples are recognised as frontline guardians and managers of African biodiversity, and provide early warning for climate change trends.

We appeal to African governments to formally recognise the Traditional Knowledge Systems and practices of hunters and nomads.

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