Additional Protocol to the OAU General Convention on Privileges and Immunities

The Protocol regulates the privileges and immunities of officials and personnel of the African Union’s agencies.

Officials of the Agencies shall be immune from legal process in respect of words spoken, written and all acts performed by them in their official capacity. the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General of the Agencies shall be accorded in respect of themselves, their spouses and children, the privileges and immunities, exemptions and facilities accorded to Diplomatic envoys in accordance with International Law (Article 2).

The Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity shall have the right and the duty to waive the immunity of any official of the Agencies in any case where in his opinion, the immunity would impede the course of justice
and can be waived without prejudice to the interests of the Organization of African Unity. The Organization of African Unity and the Agencies shall co-operate at all times with the appropriate authorities of Member States to facilitate the proper administration of justice, secure the observance of police regulations and prevent the occurrence of any
abuse in connection with the privileges, immunities and facilities mentioned in this article (Article 2, para 5 and 6).

Experts on Mission for the Agencies and the officials of the Agencies other than those holding the nationality of a Member State of the Organization of African Unity shall be accorded such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise of their functions during the period of their missions, including the time spent on journeys in connection with their missions. In particular, they shall be accorded immunity from legal process of any kind in respect of words spoken, written and all acts performed by them in the course of the performance of their
mission (Article 3).