About AFORBO
The African Freedom of Religion or Belief Observatory
Who We Are
The African Freedom of Religion or Belief Observatory (AFORBO) is a Pan-African, independent, and non-partisan institution dedicated to the promotion, protection, and monitoring of freedom of religion or belief across the African continent. Established in response to persistent challenges of religious intolerance, discrimination, and violence, AFORBO provides an African-led, context-sensitive platform to advance human dignity, peace, and social cohesion.
Rooted in Africa’s rich spiritual and philosophical heritage — particularly the Ubuntu principle (“I am because we are”) — and inspired by universal values such as the Golden Rule and the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together (2019), AFORBO seeks to foster a culture of dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among all religious and belief communities.
Our Objectives
- Monitor and report on the state of religious freedom by collecting and analyzing data through surveys, research, and consultations with diverse stakeholders.
- Advocate for policy changes by providing evidence-based recommendations to governments, RECs, and the African Union.
- Build capacity by training community leaders, policymakers, and faith-based organizations.
- Foster interfaith dialogue by creating platforms for collaboration among different religious traditions.
- Provide legal support to victims of religious freedom violations through partnerships with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Foundational Inspirations
Ubuntu Philosophy
“I am because we are” — affirming our interconnectedness.
The Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” — common across all major religious traditions.
Human Fraternity Declaration (2019)
Signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, emphasizing peace, coexistence, and mutual respect.
African Union Values
Embodied in the Constitutive Act of the AU (2000), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981), and Agenda 2063.
Contact: contact@aforbo.org | Tel/WhatsApp: +248 2668633
AFORBO at a Glance
The African Freedom of Religion or Belief Observatory (AFORBO) is a Pan-African, independent, and non-partisan institution dedicated to monitoring, protecting, and promoting freedom of religion or belief (ForB) across the African continent. It is African-led and African-rooted, drawing on Ubuntu philosophy, the Golden Rule, and the Document on Human Fraternity, while engaging fully with continental and international human-rights frameworks.
- Motto: “Religious Freedom for the Africa We Want”
- Legal Status: Registered association under the Associations Act 2022 (Section 3), Republic of Seychelles — Association No. A432027, dated 22 December 2025.
- Headquarters: Mahé Island, Seychelles, with provision for liaison offices across AU regions.
- Scope: The five AU regions — North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa — operating at grassroots, national, regional, and continental levels.
- Working Languages: English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Kiswahili, and Portuguese.
- Aspiration: Observer / consultative status with the African Union and its relevant organs.
Vision, Mission, and Motto
Vision: An integrated, peaceful, and pluralistic Africa where freedom of religion and belief is fully respected, protected, and promoted in every country and community.
Mission: To work collaboratively with AU institutions, international organizations, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), national governments, faith-based organizations, academia, and civil society to advance the right to religious freedom and freedom of belief through monitoring, legal advocacy, research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building.
Motto: “Religious Freedom for the Africa We Want.”
Core Values
- Human dignity: the inherent worth of every person as the foundation of all rights.
- Human fraternity: the conviction that all people belong to a single human family.
- The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” present in all major traditions.
- Non-violence and peacebuilding: the rejection of coercion and the active pursuit of peace.
- Ubuntu Philosophy: “I am because we are,” affirming our interconnectedness.
- Gratitude and mutual respect: recognition of and esteem for one another across differences.
- Freedom of conscience and belief: the right to hold, change, manifest, or not hold a belief.
- Intercultural and interfaith dialogue: encounter and cooperation across traditions.
- Transparency and ethical governance: accountability and integrity in all operations.