South Africa and Mozambique Refuse to Endorse African Family Values Charter at Accra Conference
By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada | June 5, 2026
Efforts to secure unanimous support for the proposed African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values encountered resistance on Thursday after South Africa and Mozambique formally abstained from its adoption during the Fourth Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Accra.
South Africa cited constitutional concerns, particularly regarding provisions defining marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman.
Head of the South African delegation, Zandile Majozi, stated that while Pretoria respects the objectives of the charter, it cannot endorse provisions that conflict with South Africa’s constitutional protections and legal obligations.
Mozambique also withheld support, though for different reasons.
In a letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, Mozambican delegation leader Carlos Tembe explained that legislative scheduling challenges and logistical constraints prevented full participation in the adoption process.
The charter seeks to promote traditional family structures, cultural values, and national sovereignty across African states.
Commentary | Boakye Stephen
The abstentions reveal the diversity of legal and constitutional frameworks across Africa. While many nations support stronger protection of traditional family values, others operate under constitutional systems that recognize broader interpretations of personal rights and marriage. The debate underscores the challenge of creating continent-wide agreements on socially sensitive issues where domestic laws differ significantly.
