Honoring the Legacy of Théophane Nikyèma: A Tribute to an Africentric Champion for Children’s Rights in Africa and Beyond
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Théophane Nikyèma, a respected member of the African Union’s African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), who dedicated over two decades of his life to advancing the rights and welfare of children across Africa. Nikyèma, a tireless advocate for Africentric solutions to the challenges facing the continent’s young citizens, passed away on July 31, 2024, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless children and a lasting legacy of principled, visionary leadership.
Prior to his role with the ACERWC, Nikyèma held several leadership positions within the United Nations System in Africa and Asia, including serving as the UNICEF Representative a.i. in Mali (2012), the UNDP Resident Representative, UN Resident Coordinator, Designated Official, and Humanitarian Coordinator in Uganda (2006-2012), the UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa (2003-2006), and the UNICEF Country Representative in Rwanda (2000-2003). This extensive background in the UN system had given Nikyèma a deep understanding of the unique circumstances and needs of children across the diverse regions of Africa.
As a member of the ACERWC, Nikyèma was a steadfast champion of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), working tirelessly to ensure that its transformative vision was reflected in national policies and practices across the continent. His Africentric approach to child welfare was instrumental in driving progress and fostering meaningful dialogue between governments, civil society organizations, and the children themselves.
Nikyèma’s leadership was particularly evident during the ACERWC’s advocacy mission to The Gambia in 2023. Throughout the delegation’s engagements with Gambian officials and community stakeholders, Nikyèma’s unwavering commitment to the ACRWC’s principles and his ability to listen to and amplify the voices of Gambian children were instrumental in catalyzing concrete steps towards upholding children’s rights in the country.
In 2022, the ACERWC had appointed Nikyèma as the Special Rapporteur on Children in Conflict with the Law, underscoring his expertise and commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable group of children, particularly in the context of Burkina Faso’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Théophane Nikyèma’s legacy as an Africentric champion for children’s rights will continue to inspire and guide the work of the ACERWC in the years to come. His example stands as a testament to the power of principled, visionary leadership in driving positive change for Africa’s youth, and his dedication to elevating the voices and experiences of young Africans will continue to shape the continent’s path towards a more just and equitable future. The world has lost a true champion for the rights of children, but his work and the impact he has made will continue to be felt for generations to come.
