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AFRICA - HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY COUNTRY
Amnesty International 2025 Annual Report - Africa Regional Overview
Based on Human Rights Documentation During 2024
REGIONAL SUMMARY - KEY VIOLATIONS:
• Armed Conflict & Civilian Deaths: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan
• Sexual Violence in Conflict: Central African Republic (11,000+ cases), Democratic Republic of Congo (doubled in 2024), Sudan (RSF widespread rape), Somalia, South Sudan
• Protest Killings: Guinea, Kenya (60 deaths), Mozambique (277 deaths), Nigeria (24 deaths), Senegal
• Displacement Crisis: Sudan (11 million internally displaced - largest in world), Democratic Republic of Congo (7.3 million), Burkina Faso (2 million), South Sudan (2 million)
• Media Censorship: Eritrea (no free press for 20+ years), Burkina Faso, Guinea, Tanzania, Togo
• LGBTI Criminalization: Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Uganda (upheld/passed bans)
* Environmental Modification (ENMOD) i.e. Weaponizing Earth i.e. Weather Warfare & Earthquake Warfare &Volcanic Eruption Warfare: s
ALGERIA
Freedom of Expression:
• Restrictions on freedom of expression
Refugees & Migration:
• Mass expulsions: 20,000+ migrants expelled to Assamaka, Niger (January-August 2024)
• Several migrants died of exhaustion en route or on arrival in Assamaka (May 2024)
ANGOLA
Arbitrary Detention & Torture:
• Activists Adolfo Campos and Gildo das Ruas arbitrarily detained
• Medical care denied to detained activists, health deteriorated drastically
Freedom of Assembly:
• Brutal repression of protests
Enforced Disappearances:
• Pattern of enforced disappearances documented
Media Freedom:
• Journalist harassment and intimidation
Climate & Food Security:
• El Niño drought affecting food security
BENIN
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest repression by security forces
Media Freedom:
• Media suspensions and threats to suspend media operations
Arbitrary Detention:
• Arbitrary detention of activists
BOTSWANA
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest repression
LGBTI Rights (POSITIVE):
• Constitutional amendment bill introduced to protect intersex people from discrimination
Climate:
• El Niño drought emergency declared
BURKINA FASO
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings by Military:
• Military killed at least 223 civilians including at least 56 children in Soro and Nodin villages (February 2024)
• Hundreds of civilians reportedly killed by military and proxy forces during supply operation (May 2024)
Armed Conflict - Armed Group Attacks:
• Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) killed around 200 people including civilians in Barsalogho (August 2024)
• Armed group killed 15 worshippers at Catholic church in Essakane, Sahel region (February 25, 2024)
• GSIM killed at least 14 worshippers at mosque in Natiaboani, Est region (February 25, 2024)
• GSIM killed 26 civilians at church in Kounla, Boucle du Mouhoun region (August 2024)
Right to Education:
• 5,319 schools closed due to conflict (as of March 2024), affecting nearly 1 million children
Displacement:
• 2 million internally displaced people
Media Freedom:
• TV5 Monde, BBC, and Voice of America suspended for two weeks (retaliation for reporting on Nodin/Soro massacres)
• Access to websites of 9 Burkinabe media organizations suspended
Arbitrary Detention & Enforced Disappearances:
• Pattern of arbitrary detentions documented
• Enforced disappearances reported
LGBTI Rights:
• Draft family code threatens to criminalize same-sex relations
BURUNDI
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Enforced Disappearances:
• Enforced disappearances documented
Health:
• Mpox outbreak
CAMEROON
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Freedom of Expression:
• Minister of Territorial Administration banned "any media debate on the state of the President" following rumors about President Biya's health (October 2024)
Health:
• Mpox outbreak
Climate:
• Flood deaths reported
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• More than 11,000 cases of gender-based violence reported in first half of 2024
Food Security:
• 2.5 million people facing food insecurity
• Over 50% of population in Mbomou, Haute-Kotto and other regions living in emergency or crisis food insecurity
Displacement:
• 455,533 internally displaced people
Health:
• Mpox outbreak
Accountability (POSITIVE):
• UN-backed Special Criminal Court arrested 2 suspects and issued international arrest warrant for former president François Bozizé for alleged crimes against humanity (2009-2013)
CHAD
Unlawful Killings:
• Opposition leader Yaya Dillo killed during assault by security forces on his party headquarters (February 2024)
Arbitrary Detention:
• 25 relatives of Yaya Dillo arrested after his killing, most detained in high-security prison without access to legal representation or medical care
• 14 sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, 10 acquitted, 1 remained in detention without charge (July 2024)
• All released without explanation (November-December 2024)
Media Freedom:
• Journalist Idriss Yaya murdered together with his wife and four-year-old son (March 2024) after receiving threats likely linked to reporting on escalating communal conflicts in Mongo region
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest bans imposed
COMOROS
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE / REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO)
Arbitrary Detention:
• 580 people arrested during Opération Coup de Poing to combat crime (May-June 2024)
Forced Evictions:
• Residents of Mpili, Kouilou department, forcibly relocated to make way for potash extraction by Chinese company
Environmental Protection (POSITIVE):
• Government suspended operations at Metssa Congo recycling company in Vindoulou, Pointe-Noire due to potential health and environmental risks
Health:
• Mpox outbreak
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Freedom of Association:
• Government adopted ordinance regulating civil society organizations' activities, sparking fears of financial interference and control
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest repression
Housing Rights:
• Forced evictions carried out
Sexual & Reproductive Rights (POSITIVE):
• National Assembly amended Criminal Code to allow abortion in cases of incest
Climate Finance (POSITIVE):
• Secured USD 1.3 billion to improve climate resilience and transition to renewable energy
Climate:
• Flood deaths reported
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC / KINSHASA)
Armed Conflict - Armed Group Killings:
• Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed more than 200 civilians in two separate attacks (June 2024)
• March 23 Movement responsible for civilian killings
• Cooperative for Development of the Congo responsible for civilian killings
• Most civilian killings occurred when armed groups battled government forces in east and west
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• Conflict-related sexual violence cases doubled in first quarter 2024 compared to same period in 2023
Displacement:
• 7.3 million internally displaced people
Health:
• 14,250 Mpox cases, 456 deaths (96% of regional total) as of July 30, 2024
• WHO declared Mpox outbreak "public health emergency of international concern" (August 2024)
DJIBOUTI
No specific violations documented in 2024 Amnesty International report
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Freedom of Expression:
• Parliament began debating cybercrime bill with concerns about new restrictions on social media use (March 2024)
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest repression
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Gender Equality (POSITIVE):
• Government adopted declaration outlining measures to address gender disparities and promote women's empowerment
ERITREA
Media Freedom:
• No registered privately owned media for more than 20 years
• Free press completely dismantled
• Total press censorship
ESWATINI
Freedom of Expression:
• 2008 anti-terrorism law used to target government critics
Impunity:
• Government failed to investigate extrajudicial killings carried out between 2021-2024
• Killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko in 2023 not investigated
LGBTI Rights:
• Government refused to register LGBTI organization
ETHIOPIA
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings:
• Government forces rounded up scores of civilian men from homes, shops, and streets in Merawi town, Amhara region, and executed them following armed clashes (January 2024)
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Freedom of Association:
• Authorities arbitrarily suspended licenses of 5 national human rights organizations
• 4 suspensions still in place at end of year
Arbitrary Detention:
• Hundreds arrested nationwide under pretext of enforcing state of emergency
• Federal army and security forces launched mass arrest campaign in Amhara region (September 2024), detaining thousands in 4 days
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• Rape and murder of 7-year-old Heaven Awot became emblematic of sexual violence against women and girls
Corporate Accountability (POSITIVE):
• Victims of human rights abuses made progress in efforts to hold Facebook accountable in accessible courts for harms Facebook caused or contributed to
Impunity:
• Government continued to dismiss crimes documented by human rights bodies
• "Transitional justice" initiative limited to reconciliation, remained largely paper exercise
GABON
No specific violations documented in 2024 Amnesty International report
GAMBIA
Freedom of Expression:
• Cybercrime bill before parliament raises concerns about abuses and restrictions on freedom of expression
Gender Rights (POSITIVE):
• Parliament rejected bill to repeal 2015 Women's Amendment Act banning female genital mutilation
Accountability (POSITIVE):
• National Assembly passed laws to establish Special Accountability Mechanism and Special Prosecutor's Office (April 2024)
• ECOWAS agreed to establish Special Tribunal for Gambia (December 2024) - progress towards accountability for crimes under former president Yahya Jammeh
GHANA
LGBTI Rights:
• Parliament passed bill further criminalizing LGBTI people
Health (POSITIVE):
• Malaria vaccine roll-out expanded
GUINEA
Freedom of Assembly - Unlawful Killings:
• 17-year-old protester shot dead during trade union strike (February 2024)
• Two boys aged 8 and 14 shot dead when power cut in Kindia sparked protests (March 2024)
Enforced Disappearances:
• Omar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah (National Front for Defence of Constitution members) arrested July 2024, remained forcibly disappeared at year's end
• Journalist Habib Marouane Camara arrested early December 2024, remained forcibly disappeared at year's end
Media Freedom:
• Government ordered revocation of operating licenses for several radio and TV stations for alleged "non-compliance with content specifications"
• Journalist harassment
Freedom of Association:
• Government suspended renewal of NGOs' operating licenses for 4 months pending assessment of activities
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
Accountability (POSITIVE):
• Dixinn Criminal Court convicted 8 people including former president Moussa Dadis Camara for crimes against humanity in connection with September 2009 stadium massacre
GUINEA-BISSAU
No specific violations documented in 2024 Amnesty International report
KENYA
Freedom of Assembly - Unlawful Killings:
• National human rights institution documented 60 deaths during anti-Finance Bill protests (June-July 2024)
• More than 600 protesters arrested (June-August 2024)
Enforced Disappearances:
• Law Society reported at least 72 people forcibly disappeared in connection with anti-Finance Bill protests
Housing Rights:
• Government demolished homes of at least 6,000 households in Mathare and Mukuru Kwa Njenga settlements of Nairobi amid heavy rainfall and flooding
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
Media Freedom:
• Journalist harassment
Right to Health:
• New national health insurance system created difficulties in accessing healthcare for many patients
LESOTHO
Freedom of Expression:
• Cybercrime bill before parliament raises concerns about freedom of expression abuses
Media Freedom:
• Journalist harassment
Climate:
• El Niño drought emergency declared
LIBERIA
No specific violations documented in 2024 Amnesty International report
MADAGASCAR
Surveillance & Privacy:
• Authorities used Predator spyware to monitor political opposition members
Climate:
• Cyclone Gamane resulted in 18 deaths, displaced 20,737 people, damaged vital infrastructure including roads and bridges
• Flood deaths reported
Climate Action (POSITIVE):
• Government committed to 28% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2030
MALAWI
LGBTI Rights:
• Court upheld ban on consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults
Climate:
• El Niño drought emergency declared
MALI
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings:
• Army drone strikes killed at least 27 civilians including 18 children (March 2024)
• Army drone strikes killed 8 civilians including 6 children (October 2024)
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Arbitrary Detention:
• Gendarmerie arrested 11 politicians for holding meeting in Bamako (June 2024)
• Accused of "disturbing public order and plotting against the state"
• Released in December 2024
Displacement:
• 331,000 internally displaced people
Enforced Disappearances:
• Pattern of enforced disappearances
LGBTI Rights:
• New Criminal Code adopted criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct (punishment: imprisonment and fine)
Accountability (POSITIVE):
• ICC sentenced Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz to 10 years imprisonment for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Mali (May 2012 - January 2023)
Climate:
• 177 flood deaths
MAURITANIA
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
MAURITIUS
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
MOZAMBIQUE
Freedom of Assembly - Unlawful Killings:
• Security forces unleashed worst crackdown on protests in years following disputed October elections
• At least 277 people died including children and bystanders
Arbitrary Detention:
• Hundreds arrested pre-election for support/membership of opposition Optimist Party for Development of Mozambique
• Thousands arrested in post-election period
Armed Conflict:
• Armed groups burned 3 churches, 2 schools, and hospital in Chiúre district (February 2024)
• Armed conflict violations documented
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
NAMIBIA
LGBTI Rights (POSITIVE):
• High Court struck down legislation outlawing consensual same-sex sexual conduct
• Government appealed the decision
Climate Finance:
• Secured USD 10 billion to develop "green hydrogen" (increases debt burden)
Climate:
• El Niño drought emergency declared
NIGER
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings:
• Army drone strike reportedly killed around 50 civilians in Tiawa village, Tillabéri region (January 2024)
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Freedom of Expression:
• Authorities reinstated jail sentences for defamation and related offenses, reversing previous progress
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Right to Health (POSITIVE):
• Government announced 50% reduction in patient fees for medical treatment, laboratory tests, imaging, medical/surgical procedures
• Abolished fees for childbirth and dialysis in public hospitals
Climate:
• 339 flood deaths
NIGERIA
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings:
• Military airstrikes in Kaduna state killed 23 people in village including worshippers at mosque and shoppers at market
Freedom of Assembly - Unlawful Killings:
• At least 24 people killed during #EndBadGovernance protests (August 2024)
• More than 1,000 detained during protests
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Media Freedom:
• Journalist harassment
Accountability (POSITIVE):
• ECOWAS Court ruled Nigeria violated #EndSARS protesters' rights (July 2024)
RWANDA
Freedom of Association:
• New law imposed restrictions on budgeting and management decisions of national NGOs
SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE
No specific violations documented in 2024 Amnesty International report
SENEGAL
Freedom of Assembly - Unlawful Killings:
• Security forces killed 4 people including 16-year-old boy during protests over delayed presidential elections (February 2024)
Freedom of Expression:
• Politicians arrested for criticizing government
• Ahmed Suzanne Camara arrested and charged with "offending the head of state" after calling president and prime minister liars (July 2024)
• Cheikhna Keita arrested for speaking on TV about tensions between president and prime minister (September 2024)
Internet Freedom:
• Internet shutdowns imposed
Impunity:
• Amnesty law passed in March 2024 halted prosecutions for killings of 65 protesters and bystanders (March 2021 - February 2024)
Environmental Protection (POSITIVE):
• Authorities suspended all mining activities along Falémé river until mid-2027 due to health and environmental concerns relating to chemical use during mining
SEYCHELLES
No specific violations documented in 2024 Amnesty International report
SIERRA LEONE
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• 3 girls died after undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Death became emblematic of prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls
Enforced Disappearances:
• Pattern of enforced disappearances
Gender Rights (POSITIVE):
• Law enacted banning early and child marriage
SOMALIA
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings:
• Turkish-made drone strikes supporting Somali military operations killed 23 civilians including 14 children in lower Shabelle region (March 2024)
• Al-Shabaab responsible for 65% of 854 civilian casualties recorded (January-September 2024) according to UN Assistance Mission
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• 2 members of Somali National Army allegedly raped two sisters aged 15 and 16
• Conflict-related sexual violence prevalent
Food Security:
• At least 4 million people facing crisis or emergency food insecurity
• Estimated 1.6 million children aged 6-59 months facing acute malnutrition
Displacement:
• 552,000 internally displaced people
Climate:
• Droughts and floods destroyed communities, collapsed local economies, displaced families and communities
SOUTH AFRICA
Health:
• Mpox outbreak
Sexual Violence Law (POSITIVE):
• High Court in Pretoria declared sections of sexual offenses law unconstitutional for providing subjective test for criminal intent where sexual violence not criminalized if perpetrator wrongly and unreasonably believed complainant consented
Climate Action (POSITIVE):
• Government announced establishment of climate change fund to respond to impacts and build resilience
International Justice (POSITIVE):
• International Court of Justice case against Israel for allegedly breaching Genocide Convention - crucial step towards justice
SOUTH SUDAN
Armed Conflict:
• Armed conflict violations documented
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• Conflict-related sexual violence prevalent
Food Security:
• Approximately 7.1 million people (56.3%) projected to face crisis-level or more severe food insecurity during year
• More than 2.5 million children and women experienced acute malnutrition
Displacement:
• 2 million internally displaced people
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Accountability (POSITIVE):
• Laws enacted to establish truth and reparations commissions
• Hybrid Court for South Sudan establishment remained stalled
SUDAN
Armed Conflict - Unlawful Killings:
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched retaliatory attacks on towns and villages in eastern Gezira state after commander defected to Sudanese Armed Forces (October 2024)
• At least 124 civilians killed in 7 days according to UN
• RSF continued attacks on civilians, some ethnically motivated
Sexual & Gender-Based Violence:
• UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission found RSF members perpetrated widespread sexual violence during attacks on cities in Darfur region and Greater Khartoum
• RSF frequently raped and gang-raped women and girls in front of family members, particularly in Darfur region and Gezira state
Displacement - LARGEST CRISIS IN WORLD:
• 11 million internally displaced people - LARGEST DISPLACEMENT CRISIS IN THE WORLD
• 8.6 million displaced since April 2023
• 3.2 million Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries living in dire conditions
Food Security:
• UN declared famine conditions in Zamzam camp for internally displaced people in North Darfur region (August 2024)
Right to Education:
• More than 17 million children remained out of school
• Save the Children reported attacks on schools increased fourfold since conflict start (April 2023)
Internet & Communications:
• Near-total telecommunication blackout (February 2024) posed serious risks to coordination of emergency assistance and humanitarian services
• Internet shutdowns
Media Freedom:
• 5 journalists killed (as of December 10, 2024)
TANZANIA
Freedom of Assembly:
• More than 500 people affiliated with opposition Chadema party arrested for allegedly violating ban on youth conference (August 2024)
• Police announced ban on all Chadema protests (September 2024)
• Protest bans imposed
Media Freedom:
• Regulatory authorities suspended digital platforms of The Citizen for 30 days for allegedly publishing material that disrupted "national unity and social peace" in connection with video about missing or murdered people
• Media suspensions
• Journalist harassment
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Enforced Disappearances:
• Pattern of enforced disappearances
TOGO
Freedom of Assembly:
• Demonstrations and meetings by opposition political parties and civil society to discuss proposed constitutional changes routinely banned
• Protest bans
Media Freedom:
• Authorities suspended accreditations of all foreign journalists for coverage of April elections
• Media suspensions
• Journalist harassment
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
UGANDA
Freedom of Expression:
• 8 musicians arrested by military officials when overheard complaining about president's speech at public event (April 2024)
• Court barred social media activist Ibrahim Musana from mentioning government officials including President Museveni on social media pending case on charges including promoting hate speech (April 2024)
• Edward Awebwa sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for sharing videos mocking president (July 2024)
Freedom of Association:
• NGO law amendment paved way for dissolution of semi-autonomous NGO Bureau and re-establishment as department within Ministry of Internal Affairs - signaling centralized control and increased government oversight
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest repression
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
LGBTI Rights:
• Court upheld ban on consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults
Technology & Gender-Based Violence:
• Technology-facilitated gender-based violence posed growing threat to women and LGBTI activists
ZAMBIA
Freedom of Expression:
• Authorities filed flimsy charges against critics for exposing corruption allegations or criticizing government officials
• Raphael Nakacinda (Patriotic Front secretary general) sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for "defaming the president" under law repealed in 2021
Freedom of Assembly:
• Protest bans
Arbitrary Detention:
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Climate:
• El Niño drought emergency declared
ZIMBABWE
Arbitrary Detention:
• More than 160 arrested including opposition members, union leaders, students, journalists ahead of SADC Summit in Harare (August 17, 2024)
• Police arrested 78 people during raid on private gathering at home of Jameson Timba (Citizens Coalition for Change party leader) (June 2024)
• Pattern of arbitrary detention
Freedom of Association:
• Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill 2024 pending before Senate contains provisions that could restrict civic space and threaten existence, independence, operations of civil society organizations
Media Freedom:
• Journalist harassment
Climate:
• El Niño drought emergency declared
END OF AFRICA REGIONAL REPORT
Source: Amnesty International Annual Report 2025 - The State of the World's Human Rights (April 2025)
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