John G. Ruggie has come out in support of the ACCA, writing in a letter to Global Rights:
As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Business and Human Rights from 2005 to 2011, I witnessed first-hand the power that civil society can have in motivating greater corporate accountability. I have therefore followed with great interest the formation of the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA). I particularly welcome ACCA’s commitment to advocate with governments, companies, communities and others for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights across Africa.View or download the letter here.
The African continent faces many of the same challenges in ensuring business respect for human rights that we see in other areas of the world, and some that are particular to its own context. ACCA’s goal of supporting communities and individuals whose human rights are adversely impacted by corporations holds particular promise for the region. It has the potential both to amplify the voice of the vulnerable and to become a partner in defining solutions to business and human rights challenges. As such, I very much hope and expect that ACCA will become a valuable interlocutor for both businesses and governments in the region.