Released this week, the report sheds light on the deteriorating state of civic freedoms in the region, calling for urgent reforms to protect fundamental rights.
While Botswana and Liberia showed improvements in civic space, the report highlights worsening conditions in Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
These findings are based on data collected from over 20 organisations, think tanks, and local activists across Africa, validated through rigorous stakeholder consultations.
Paul Mulindwa, Africa Advocacy Lead at Civicus, explained that the report serves a dual purpose, celebrating nations improving governance and highlighting those lagging or regressing.
“We assess countries based on their commitment to protecting and promoting civic freedoms, with the aim of driving accountability,” Mulindwa noted.
The report identifies five major violations in Africa’s civic space:
1. Detention of Journalists: Reporters face arrests for exposing corruption or covering sensitive topics deemed critical of authorities.
2. Attacks on Human Rights Defenders: Activists advocating for democracy, environmental protections, and legal rights are frequently targeted.
3. Censorship: Authorities increasingly suppress dissenting voices, particularly in media.
4. Suppression of Peaceful Assembly: Infringements on the right to protest are more pronounced in nations like South Africa.
5. General Restrictions on Freedom of Expression: These issues are especially prevalent in West and Central Africa.
Mulindwa noted that nearly 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lives in countries with repressive civic spaces.
Countries like Somalia and Burundi ranked among the worst offenders, with severe violations including the detention and physical attacks on journalists. Others, such as Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were flagged for their treatment of human rights defenders.
On the other end of the spectrum, nations like South Africa and Cape Verde stood out for maintaining open civic spaces. Their adherence to democratic principles and protections for civil society serve as models for the continent.
Mulindwa attributed these successes to robust institutional frameworks and a commitment to constitutional governance. He also noted that countries with better civic environments often have stronger international ties and support for civil society organisations.
The report issues several key recommendations to address the challenges:
Constitutional Compliance: Governments must uphold constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Ratification of Human Rights Treaties: Countries should domesticate and implement international human rights agreements.
Creating Enabling Environments: Authorities must ensure safe conditions for activists, journalists, and civic organisations to operate freely.
Strengthening Freedom of Association and Assembly: Governments should prioritise these rights as cornerstones of democratic governance.
Mulindwa emphasised that civic freedoms are essential for societal progress. “We demand that governments take urgent action to reverse the troubling trends and ensure that civil society can thrive,” he said.
The findings of People Power Under Attack 2024 are a sobering reminder of the fragility of civic space across Africa. As Mulindwa concluded, “Protecting these freedoms isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a prerequisite for sustainable development and democracy.”
The report is a clarion call for African governments to take decisive action to safeguard civil liberties, ensuring that the continent’s citizens can freely express, associate, and assemble without fear of persecution.
--ChannelAfrica--
