SUB REGIONAL UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE  EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA

DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) welcomes the opportunity offered by the NGO Forum preceeding the 83^rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to provide an update on the status of democracy, rule of law and human rights in East and Horn of Africaa over the last six months for the period October 2024 to May 2025.

During the reporting period, the sub region experienced escalating conflict, mounting political tensions, and a continued assault on civic space. Ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia resulted in widespread human rights violations, mass displacement, and deepening humanitarian crises. In the lead-up to elections in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda, authorities intensified repression of political opposition. Opposition figures were surveilled, harassed, and in some cases charged with treason—widely viewed as a politically motivated tactic to silence dissent. Across the region, there was a disturbing increase in enforced disappearances, unlawful killings, and other patterns of repression targeting critics of the government. The broader trend of shrinking civic space continued, marked by sustained attacks on press freedom and civil society. Governments across the region use legal and extrajudicial means to restrict fundamental freedoms, including arrests of journalists, media shutdowns, and curbs on peaceful assembly. The statement therefore underscores a pervasive and coordinated effort to stifle dissent and weaken democracy, rule of law and enjoyment of human rights illustrated in the brief country updates.

Burundi’s human rights situation continues to deteriorate amid widespread impunity, with the country entering a tense electoral period ahead of the 2025 legislative and 2027 presidential elections. Authorities have intensified repression, with reports of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Fundamental freedoms remain severely restricted, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, assembly, and association. Hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric, including from top political figures, have surged, fueling tensions. Civic space faces mounting pressure, with ongoing attacks on journalists and political opposition members, for example the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has disqualified opposition candidates from the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition.

Djibouti’s civic space is severely restricted, and is currently classified as “closed” by the Civicus Monitor. This means there are significant restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of association, and access to information, particularly for civil society organisations (CSOs) and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). The democratic and civic space remains completely closed, with public gatherings being a rare occurrence and online spaces, including Facebook, being the only relatively open spaces to express and share views critical of the authorities.

Eritrea remains under the authoritarian rule of President Isaias Afwerki, with civic space among the most restricted globally. The government continues to suppress fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, opinion, and movement. In its 2024 report, the Committee to Protect Journalists  (CPJ) ranked Eritrea as the largest jailer of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa. Amid rising regional tensions, the authorities have intensified internal control measures, issuing directives for mass military mobilisation and restricting the right to leave the country for citizens under 50.

The human rights situation in Ethiopia remains grave, with government forces, militias, and armed groups committing widespread abuses, particularly in the Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions. In Amhara, fighting between federal forces and Fano militias has led to mass arrests of ethnic Amharas, civilian deaths, and the destruction of healthcare facilities, amounting to possible war crimes. Oromia and Tigray remain unstable. Civic space continues to shrink amid smear campaigns, harassment, and the forced exile of HRDs and journalists. Although the suspension of key rights organisations was lifted in March 2025, restrictions on freedom of expression and association persist. Accountability remains elusive, with little progress on the transitional justice process or the implementation of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement. Meanwhile, tensions with Eritrea are rising, raising fears of renewed regional conflict.

Kenya’s human rights situation deteriorated significantly over the past year. In December 2024, CIVICUS downgraded the country’s civic space rating from “Obstructed” to “Repressed”, following a violent crackdown on anti-Finance Bill protests where police used excessive force, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Since June 2024, enforced disappearances and abductions targeting government critics have surged, while extrajudicial killings remain a serious concern. Journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors faced harassment and intimidation. The government also escalated efforts to control digital spaces under the guise of curbing disinformation, though these measures appear aimed at stifling dissent and restricting online political expression. Additionally, the abductions of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai raised alarm over Kenya’s role in cross-border violations. The year also recorded the country’s highest number of femicides, exposing deep-rooted gender-based violence (GBV).

Rwanda’s human rights record remains concerning. The government continues to suppress dissent and severely restrict civic space. Regionally, Rwanda’s escalating tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have fueled a worsening security and humanitarian crisis. The UN General Assembly, the African Union (AU), and foreign partners have condemned the situation and urged restraint, dialogue, and de-escalation. In response to Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict, international actors have imposed targeted sanctions on Rwandan individuals and entities and suspended aspects of economic and trade cooperation. The diplomatic fallout with Belgium, historically a key bilateral partner and major donor to Rwandan civil society, poses a significant threat to the financial sustainability of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), compounding the already shrinking civic space and placing further pressure on HRDs.

Somalia (together with Somaliland)

Somalia faces a complex humanitarian crisis worsened by prolonged drought, conflict, and political instability. On 10 March 2025, a bomb attack targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud highlighted ongoing insecurity and the threat from non-state armed group, Al-Shabaab. The right to freedom of opinion and expression remains severely limited as a result of actions by both state (including the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA)) and non-state actors. Somalia continues to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Journalists face arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and violence at the hands of both security forces and armed groups. There is an increasing trend of police officers detaining journalists, deleting their footage, and obstructing their work, particularly during coverage of protests or security operations. In a further restriction, Minister of Information Daud Aweys banned reporting on security incidents in Mogadishu, deepening censorship and limiting public access to information.

South Sudan is on the verge of renewed large-scale conflict, with heavy fighting in Upper Nile and Western Equatoria states and rising political tensions in Juba threatening to unravel the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The government’s decision to extend the transitional period and delay the country’s first national elections to at least December 2026 has further eroded public trust. The National Security Service (NSS) continues to arbitrarily detain dozens of real or perceived government critics and civil society actors, despite the recent release of 16 detainees. The 16 detainees included nine military personnel from various organised forces and seven civilians, among them activists Morris Mabior Awikjok Bak and Michael Wetnhialic. Authorities briefly imposed a blanket ban on social media, violating rights to freedom of expression, information, association, and peaceful assembly. Widespread human rights abuses persist, including sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks, extrajudicial killings, and economic exploitation, fueled by deep-rooted impunity amid worsening insecurity, displacement, and humanitarian crises.

Two years into the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan remains engulfed in a devastating human rights and humanitarian crisis. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, with repeated attacks on populated areas, health facilities, schools, and internally displaced person (IDP) camps. Widespread conflict-related sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and ethnically targeted killings have been reported, while civic space has collapsed under a surge of attacks on journalists and HRDs. At least 12 journalists have been killed, and dozens arbitrarily detained. The conflict has triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with approximately 30.4 million people, including 16 million children, now requiring humanitarian assistance. With famine-like conditions in multiple regions and access to aid severely restricted, the destruction of health infrastructure and disruption of essential services have further intensified the suffering. As the SAF regains control of Khartoum and the RSF consolidates power in Darfur, the risk of prolonged violence remains high.

In the reporting period, Tanzania faced significant human rights challenges ahead of the 2025 elections. The political space narrowed further as security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained opposition figures, with alarming reports of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of political activists during campaign rallies. In a significant blow to democratic participation, the Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) disqualified the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), from contesting the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, citing procedural technicalities related to a code of conduct agreement. The party’s disqualification, the arrest and filing of a treason case against its leader, Tundu Lissu, add to growing concerns over the erosion of democratic institutions and electoral integrity in the country. The government continues to restrict freedom of expression, with individuals facing censorship, arrests, and prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act for publicly criticising state actions. Social media platforms are scrutinised, with selective blocking and monitoring reported during politically sensitive periods.

Uganda experienced escalating human rights violations marked by a systematic crackdown on journalists, environmental HRDs , and political opposition. Security forces repeatedly targeted media professionals reporting on electoral processes, subjecting them to beatings, arbitrary detention, and destruction of their equipment in an apparent effort to suppress independent coverage and stifle public access to information. These targeted assaults represent an obvious attempt to intimidate the press and violate Uganda’s obligations under international human rights law, including the right to freedom of expression. Authorities also intensified pressure on political opposition figures and supporters through abductions, raids, and surveillance, with opposition parties denouncing these acts as calculated violations of the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Environmental activists, especially those protesting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, continued to face arrests and intimidation, further shrinking civic space and silencing voices critical of harmful development projects.

Recommendations

·       Urge all states parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to protect HRDs, by strictly adhering to the provisions of the Charter and other international and regional instruments to which they are parties, as well as the United Nations Declaration on HRDs.

·       Call on governments to end the excessive use of force, including tear gas, bullets, and arrests, during peaceful protests and ensure law enforcement officers adhere to international standards on the use of force and firearms, to ensure the safety and rights of demonstrators.

·       Urge all countries to strengthen monitoring and accountability mechanisms to address human rights violations, foster a culture where perpetrators are held accountable for their actions especially in election processes.

·       Urge all governments to cease the intimidation and harassment of opposition figures, allow them to freely express their views and participate in political processes without fear of reprisal.

·       Call on the governments of Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda to immediately end abductions, torture, and extrajudicial killings by security and intelligence agencies, and to ensure independent investigations, prosecution of perpetrators, and access to justice and reparations for victims and their families.

·       Call on the Ethiopian government to end all restrictions on civil society organisations, including surveillance, harassment and to ensure these organisations can operate freely.

·       Urge all countries to protect freedom of expression, end the arrests and intimidation of journalists and HRDs, enact laws that guarantee their rights to report and advocate freely to ensure transparency and accountability.

·       Call on the government of Somalia to uphold press freedom by allowing journalists to report freely and safely on issues of insecurity, conflict, and governance, and to end the harassment, arbitrary arrests, and censorship of media professionals in line with regional and international human rights standards.

·       Call on the government of Tanzania to respect the rights of indigenous populations in Ngorongoro, end the forced relocation of Maasai communities and restore their access to essential services and cultural sites.

·       Call on all parties to the conflict in Sudan to end the long-standing conflict.

·       Urge all parties to the conflict in Sudan to grant immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian aid across the country, especially in conflict-affected areas, to address the urgent needs of millions facing hunger and impending famine.

·       Call on the Joint Fact-Finding Mission into the human rights situation in Sudan established as per ACHPR Resolution 590 to ensure the complementarity of its efforts with those of other actors, in particular the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Fact-Finding Mission established by the UN Human Rights Council, and other appropriate regional and international entities.

·       Call on the government of Eritrea and Djibouti to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society to flourish and protect the rights of all individuals to freely express their opinions.

·       Call on the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and resolve disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means, in order to prevent the escalation of tensions into armed conflict and to safeguard regional peace, security, and the rights of affected populations.

Call on the government of Rwanda to engage in constructive dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and regional actors to find a peaceful resolution to ongoing conflict..

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83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Observer Status No. 359

Honorable Chairperson,

Distinguished Commissioners,

State Delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

AfricanDefenders and DefendDefenders are concerned about the rise of systemic human rights violations across the continent and call on the African Commission to take a more proactive role in addressing these pressing issues. 

Currently, various conflict-related threats are exacerbating human rights violations. Countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, Ethiopia, and Cameroon are facing unresolved conflicts, while the Sahel region, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is experiencing a significant decline in security and human rights.

In these countries, HRDs are increasingly targeted by military regimes that gain power through populist strategies aimed at dismantling democratic institutions and suppressing dissent. These regimes often mischaracterize human rights advocacy as neocolonial interference or foreign agendas, using this narrative to justify crackdowns on civil society. There has been no accountability for these actions. HRDs face abduction, forced conscription, and an atmosphere of fear, leading many to go into exile or engage in self-censorship.

Furthermore, Hon Chairperson,

A troubling pattern of increased human rights violations characterises electoral periods. For instance, in Mozambique, which has been grappling with a significant political crisis following the October 2024 elections, widespread protests in response to allegations of electoral manipulation have been met with a brutal crackdown, with over 500 fatalities, 2,000 injuries, and 1’500 arbitrary detentions, with only half of the detainees released.

While noting that Gabon has conducted peaceful elections, the situation in Mozambique raises alarm as elections approach in other countries, including Burundi, Cameroon, Tanzania, Cote d’ Ivoire,Uganda, and South Sudan, where tensions are already escalating.

In these contexts, civil society faces heightened repression, characterized by the emergence of repressive laws and policies that target political activists, pro-democracy movements, and social movements, particularly during peaceful protests, leading to severe repercussions. It is critical for the international community to closely monitor these trends and advocate for the protection of human rights in Africa.

In North Africa, particularly Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, there is a severe crackdown on migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa. This repression includes hate speech, torture, arbitrary arrests, inhumane detention conditions, and criminalisation of migrants’ rights defenders.

Security campaigns are targeting international organizations and local NGOs that aid migrants. In Libya, for example, ten organizations have been forcibly dissolved, and their employees face harassment, investigations, and confiscation of passports, severely impacting migrant and refugee populations.

These actions highlight the challenges facing civil society in Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, where operational constraints are intensifying.

We urge the Commission to address the detention of Sherifa Sherifa Riahi, a member of the AfricanDefenders Steering Committee and former director of Tunisie Terre d’Asile. She is separated from her two-month-old infant and charged with terrorism, reflecting a broader trend affecting activists in Tunisia advocating for migrant rights.

We thank you and wish you fruitful deliberations.

83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Statement under Item 5: Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa 

Observer Status No. 359

 
Honourable Chairperson, 
Distinguished Commissioners, 
State Delegates, 
All protocols duly observed,

We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women and commend both you and the Commission for the significant progress made during this intersession in the promotion and protection of women’s rights across Africa.

This year marks two key milestones, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 10th anniversary of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Both frameworks affirm the centrality of gender equality and women’s empowerment. As highlighted in your report, there have been positive developments, including increased women’s political participation and the adoption of progressive legal frameworks addressing gender based violence and harmful practices.

However, we remain deeply concerned that women human rights defenders continue to face systemic repression, with their roles in communities persistently undervalued, restricted, and targeted. The equality that these instruments envision remains elusive for women human rights defenders across the continent.

Honourable Commissioner,
We commend your attention to the grave violations against women and girls in the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC and your call for accountability, comprehensive care, and reparations for survivors. These recommendations, however, risk remaining aspirational unless women human rights defenders, who are at the forefront of delivering humanitarian care and supporting documentation and justice processes, are protected and empowered to do their work safely. We have documented that women human rights defenders in Eastern DRC face severe movement restrictions and are frequently being
targeted by both state and non-state forces under suspicion of collecting information for opposing parties. This has led to cases of intimidation, sexual violence, and other targeted violations intended to deter them from their work. Since 27 January 2025, we have received over 50 requests for evacuation support from at-risk women human rights defenders in the affected region.

Similar patterns are present in other countries, including Sudan and Burkina Faso. We appreciate your role in the engagements of the joint fact finding mission on Sudan and your strong recommendations to safeguard the rights of women and girls. However, we stress the urgent need for explicit inclusion of women human rights defenders in follow up efforts and the creation of an enabling environment for them to advocate and support implementation of these recommendations.

In Burkina Faso, women human rights defenders broadly face systematic censorship, threats of conscription, and intimidation. State sponsored narratives through the media have distorted the realities of widespread repression of citizens’ fundamental freedoms and rights. Women human rights defenders, particularly those in exile who continue to speak out, face reprisals through targeted attacks on their families including enforced disappearances and conscription, as well as technology facilitated surveillance used to intimidate and silence them.

Honourable Commissioner,
We are also alarmed by the Libyan Government of National Unity’s plans announced in November 2024 to introduce ‘morality’ measures targeting women and girls, including restrictions on clothing, social interactions, and travel. In a country where civil society already endures systematic repression, such measures will only intensify the crackdown and serve as an additional tool to silence women human rights defenders. As a State Party to the Maputo Protocol, Libya must be held to its obligations, and urgent attention
is needed to prevent the adoption of these regressive policies.

Honourable Commissioner,
We acknowledge the steadfast efforts of your mandate in championing women’s rights, particularly your advocacy for the ratification and domestication of the Maputo Protocol and your efforts to foster inter-continental collaboration with other human rights mechanisms. 

We urge you to give greater attention to the plight of women human rights defenders in your engagements and reporting. Their recognition, protection, and empowerment are critical to realising the aspirations of the Maputo Protocol and other regional and international human rights instruments. 

Finally, we call on your mandate to integrate the protection of women human rights defenders into the monitoring of the implementation of the Maputo Protocol, and to hold Member States accountable to their obligations including creating and maintaining a safe and enabling environment for women human rights defenders. 

I thank you

83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Statement under Item 5: Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa.
Observer Status No. 359
 
Honourable Chairperson, 
Honourable Commissioners, 
Distinguished State Delegates, 
All protocols duly observed,

On 2 April 2025, the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in Tripoli announced the shutdown of ten international NGOs supporting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Libya. This announcement came on the heels of a controversial misinformation campaign, one that claimed Libya had agreed to resettle migrants, triggering an increase in arbitrary arrests resulting in xenophobic violence against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, particularly those of sub-Saharan descent. However, beneath the campaign lay the truth; exiled human rights defenders (HRDs), who fled their homelands escaping persecution, now find themselves once again facing threats of violence, criminalised and facing the risk of refoulement. 

The case of Libya is not isolated incident. The campaign of fear and repression is a pattern that seems to be spreading across the continent.

Today, Cherifa Riahi, a Tunisian defender and a member of the AfricanDefenders’ steering committee, remains arbitrarily detained for nearly a year, without clear charges issued against her. Her incarceration is a clear message that every HRD is not safe. Similarly in Algeria, online spaces are being used to fuel the wave of racism and xenophobia which takes place under the helpless gaze of human rights organisations who have been silenced. The criminalisation of organisations working to protect the fundamental rights of migrants including the right to life, food, health amongst others is a deliberate assault of the very last lines of defense for HRDs fleeing violence and persecution.

Chairperson,

Beyond North Africa, the situation grows even more desperate. In Sudan, HRDs escaping the horrors of the ongoing conflict find no refuge in neighbouring countries. Instead, they are met with hostility, xenophobia and a system that leaves them invisible and insecure. In Burkina Faso, a government issued wanted list, targeting insurgents included the names of exiled journalists and junta-critics, endangering the lives of defenders living beyond their borders. 

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the cities of Goma and Bukavu fell into the control of M23 rebels, HRDs fleeing to escape forced conscription by either state and rebel actors, were met with the risks of arbitrary arrests, degrading conditions within refugee camps and forced returns once they reached Burundi.

Honourable Chairperson and Members of the Commission, 

A recent consultation conducted by DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders with exiled human rights defenders (HRDs) revealed that they continue to face significant barriers in accessing certain regional human rights mechanisms. These challenges often stem from the limitations of their conventional travel documents (CTDs), which are either not recognized by some countries or require additional authorization processes for entry. As a result, exiled HRDs are effectively denied access to the very platforms where their voices are most needed. It is imperative that their lived experiences and invaluable insights are not excluded from these mechanisms.

We must confront a growing and deeply insidious threat, i.e., transnational repression. Today, even exile offers no true refuge. HRDs are no longer just at risk in their home countries, they are hunted beyond borders, stalked by the long arm of authoritarianism. An example is the recent attempt to abduct Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a Tanzanian government critic in Nairobi, Kenya. This attack was symbolic, as it was an attack on the very idea that defenders can ever find safety anywhere. Transnational repression is designed to inflict fear, isolate HRDs and dismantle solidarity and advocacy networks. 

Therefore, the plight of exiled HRDs, is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a human rights emergency.

Honourable Chairperson,

The African Charter was born from the promise that every African life matters and that dignity knows no borders. If we abandon exiled HRDs now, we betray that promise. If we do not act with urgency, those who stand for freedom will be hunted into silence, or worse. We therefore respectfully call on this August house to; publicly denounce the detention, criminalisation and refoulment of exiled HRDs across the continent, take urgent action to condemn and monitor transnational repression, advocate for the issuance of travel documents that will facilitate HRDs to access and engage with regional mechanisms and above all hold host states accountable for discrimination, arbitrary arrests and maltreatment of exiled HRDs. We must make it clear that the violation on one HRD’s safe heaven is a violation of the entire African human rights system. We must insist that member states uphold their obligations to protect all defenders within their borders from foreign interference, harassment and violence. No HRD should have to look over their shoulder in exile. No HRD should have to wonder if a new home means a new battlefield. If the African Charter is to mean anything at all, then our border must be walls against persecution and not bridges for repression. 

Thank you

83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 

Statement under Item 5: Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa 

Observer Status No. 359 

Honourable Chairperson, 

Honourable Commissioners, 

Distinguished State Delegates, 

All protocols duly observed,

Across Africa, human rights defenders (HRDs) are being targeted, silenced, and killed simply for standing up for justice, freedom, and dignity. Their blood stains the soil of our continent.

On 13 February 2025, Congolese artist and activist Delphine Katembo Vinywasiki was found dead in Goma after releasing a song condemning the M23 occupation. Less than a month later, South African whistleblower and community activist Pamela Mabini was gunned down in her own driveway.

Their deaths are not isolated tragedies; they are part of a growing epidemic of repression that is infecting the entire continent. Protest contexts have become killing grounds for democracy. On 15 January 2025, Mozambican security forces killed eight protestors during demonstrations against the inauguration of President Daniel Chapo. In the months that followed his election, which was marred with irregularities, peaceful opposition assemblies were targeted, including a March 2025 parade led by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.

In Algeria, over the past months, 23 digital activists and journalists were arbitrarily arrested simply for daring to protest online, joining the “Manich Radi” (“I am not satisfied”) movement.

Dissent is met with violence, both online and o[line and grievances are silenced instead of being addressed. As 2025 unfolds, with elections fast approaching in ten sub–Saharan Africa countries, HRDs are once again facing a perilous climate evidenced by an increasing number of arbitrary arrests, politically motivated charges, and enforced disappearances targeting
journalists and pro-democracy actors. In Tanzania, arrests of opposition figures have been ongoing since November 2024, with the latest, that of Tundu Lissu, occurring on 9 April 2025. Considering this deteriorating situation, we call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to monitor the situation of HRDs in these countries and take necessary steps to address the plight of HRDs in electoral contexts. 

Chairperson, 

The deepening repression is not confined to electoral periods alone. In Uganda and Egypt, the re-emergence of military trials for civilians signals a grotesque erosion of human rights protections. Instead of upholding justice, governments are weaponizing their legal systems to silence those who dare to speak truth to power.

Honourable Chairperson,

Together with undermining of the judicial systems, freedom of expression is under brutal assault. Enforced disappearances are now a preferred tool of repression by junta-led governments. In Guinea and Mali, junta critics have been abducted, beaten, and disappeared without a trace. In Burkina Faso, three journalists were arrested for demanding the release of their colleagues and now fear looms that they have been forcibly conscripted into the army, as a punishment. It does not go unnoticed, that authoritarian governments seem to be reading from the same play book of repression. This is a chilling reminder that the abuse of power knows no limits when left unchecked.

Honourable Chairperson, Members of the Commission,

Since 2020, DefendDefenders/AfricanDefenders has done its best to document these violations. In so doing, it has been noted that these acts are deliberate strategies to destroy hope and silence resistance across the continent. HRDs need real protections, real safety, and real justice. Now, more than ever, the credibility of our institutions depends on actions and less on declarations.

We therefore call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to rise to this moment by requesting urgent country visits to states where enforced disappearances are taking place, demand independent and transparent investigations into the killings and disappearances of HRDs and press governments to uphold the rule of law and fulfill their obligations under the African Charter.

The lives, dignity, and dreams of HRDs across this continent hang in the balance. 

Thank you

Honourable Chairperson,
Distinguished Commissioners,

State delegates,

Representatives of national human rights institutions and non-governmental organisations

Item 5: Activity report on freedom of expression and
access to information in Africa

AfricanDefenders and DefendDefenders welcome the activity report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of expression and access to information in Africa. We take this opportunity to highlight pressing concerns surrounding freedom of expression and access to information on the African continent. These rights are essential for the functioning of any democracy, enabling citizens to scrutinise government actions, voice their opinions, engage in public debate, and organise collectively. Yet in many countries, these very freedoms are increasingly under siege.

Across the Horn of Africa, civic space remains critically restricted. In Djibouti, it is officially classified as “closed” by the CIVICUS Monitor, with limited tolerance for dissenting views or independent civic activity. In Eritrea, there continues to be no space for free expression, and it remains the leading jailer of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the  Committee to Protect Journalist’s 2024 report. Although Ethiopia recently lifted suspensions on some human rights organisations, harassment, smear campaigns, and forced exile of journalists and defenders persist, undermining any real progress. CPJ also ranked Ethiopia as the second largest jailer of journalists.

In East Africa, the situation is deteriorating. Kenya, once considered a relatively open space for civil society, has now been reclassified as “repressed.” The state has increasingly employed enforced disappearances, abductions, and cybercrime laws to silence government critics and journalists. Online spaces have also come under threat, with increased censorship and surveillance discouraging open dialogue. In Rwanda, the shrinking civic space remains a significant concern, compounded by political interference and threats to NGO operations, especially after the recent diplomatic standoff that affected regional civil society engagement. The Sahel region remains under scrutiny for its violation of the right to free expression as highlighted in the Special Rapporteurs report with cases drawn from Mali and Burkina Faso.

The Great Lakes region is not spared. In Burundi, fundamental freedoms remain severely curtailed. Recent political developments have seen increased restrictions on the media, civil society organisations, and opposition political actors. Journalists face constant threats, and opposition candidates have been disqualified under opaque electoral procedures. The repressive environment raises serious concerns ahead of the forthcoming elections.

In conflict-affected areas such as Sudan, South Sudan, and Libya, freedom of expression is  eroded by persistent insecurity and targeted repression. Independent voices, including human rights defenders and journalists, are frequently the first to be silenced in these environments, making accountability and civic participation nearly impossible.

We are also deeply concerned by the growing use of digital repression across Africa. The proliferation of internet shutdowns, proposals to ban virtual private networks (VPNs), and arbitrary online censorship violate the African Charter and its Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. This trend is particularly worrying as several countries, including Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda, approach elections, where access to information and open public discourse is crucial for transparency and democratic legitimacy.

We urge the Commission to pay particular attention to these developments, allocate resources for monitoring civic space, and provide a clear response to violations. Governments must be reminded that freedom must be the rule and restrictions the exception, not the norm.

We thank you for your attention and your continued commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in Africa.