The Prohibition of Torture and Ill-treatment in the African Human Rights System: A HANDBOOK FOR VICTIMS AND THEIR ADVOCATES Like its predecessor, the CPTA’s ability to fully and effectively implement its mandate has been significantly inhibited by a chronic lack of adequate funding and resources. The Commission had no funding available for the Follow- up Committee, which was in existence for three years before it held its first meeting in 2005. It was only at this meeting that the Committee adopted its rules of procedure and drafted its first strategic plan of action, though the implementation of the latter has again been negatively impacted by the lack of funding and resources.. Indeed, none of the activities outlined in the 2005-2007 plan of action were carried out for this reason. Since then, a number of subsequent strategic plans have been adopted, with the most recent of which was adopted in 2011 (covering 2012-2014). Implementation has improved yet there is still some way to go. In particular, the Committee has not yet carried out the requisite studies and adopted policy documents aimed at developing a clear and effective strategy for combating torture and other ill-treatment in Africa, as is included in its mandate.569 In the implementation of its action plans, the Committee has organised a number of training seminars with various stakeholders on a range of issues relating to the prevention of torture and aimed at disseminating the Robben Island Guidelines. These have been held in Nigeria (2008), Liberia (2009), Benin (2009), Senegal (2011) and Cameroon (2012). The Committee has also organised a regional seminar on the OPCAT in Senegal (2012) and a commemorative conference on the 10th anniversary of the Robben Island Guidelines in South Africa (2012). In addition, the Committee has also carried out country missions aimed at the promotion of the prohibition and prevention of torture to Uganda (2009), Benin (2009), Algeria (2010), DRC (2011) and Mauritania (2012). Regrettably, due to the lack of funding as well as research and administrative resources available to the Committee, the only such mission for which a mission report has been prepared is that to Mauritania. The failure to issue mission reports contributes to the lack of transparency of the preparation and methodology of promotion missions carried out by the Committee. Other activities of the CPTA include the 2008 publication of the ‘Robben Island Guidelines for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture in Africa: A Practical Guide for Implementation’, as well as the launching of the bi-annual ‘Africa Torture Watch’ newsletter in 2008 which is aimed at sharing information with the public about the work of the Committee and clarifying the provisions of the Robben Island Guidelines. 569 For further information regarding the work undertaken by the CPTA, see: ACHPR website, ‘Special Mechanisms - Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa’, available at: http://www.achpr. org/mechanisms/cpta/. 132