(2017) 1 African Human Rights Yearbook 149 the current less than 1 per cent of the total AU budget, the Committee will continue to be seriously constrained to achieve its mandate in full. Like any international human rights instrument, the Charter still faces some criticisms. So does the work of the African Committee. For instance, some might still argue that it is not adequately sensitive to the socio-cultural and religious contexts of some African countries. But as the Charter solidifies its impact, and the Committee makes its presence felt, most of the arguments of detractors will continue to fade into the background. The ultimate judges of the added value of the Charter are children in Africa whose lives have been improved as a result of its implementation. However, as shown above, the 18th anniversary of the coming into force of the Charter indeed offers an opportunity to reflect and take stock of the limited progress so far, and the work that remains to be done, in our collective efforts to create an Africa fit for children. This notwithstanding, the Charter is not counting its days, but making its days count.