ABSTRACT
Constitutional human rights guarantees have not always provided the required safeguards against abuse. Mainstreaming of minorities in both the debate and the enforcement of human rights is vital for the peace and stability of the region, and is thus the backbone of the democratic transformation sweeping across Africa. A commitment by countries to embed human rights and good governance in the Sustainable Development Goals framework is important to advancing the rights of those who currently lack a voice. In effect, positive human rights require the state to furnish the resources to facilitate the exercise or enjoyment of such rights for its citizens through the provision of certain social goods. While a considerable amount of work has been done to advance human rights on the continent, not enough attention has been given to the rights of minorities and marginalized groups, and to developing human rights governance. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
