WADEMOS Biannual Report on the State of Human Rights Defenders and Activists in the ECOWAS and the AES
Defenders@Risk is a biannual overview of human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk across the West African subregion, compiled by the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) to monitor the civic space specifically in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). It offers insights into major happenings and […]
Guinea’s Junta Suspends Three Main Political Parties
Guinea’s military junta has suspended three major political parties, including that of former president Alpha Conde, for three months ahead of a controversial constitutional referendum campaign. The suspension targets Conde’s Rally of the Guinean People, the Union of Democratic Forces led by ex-PM Cellou Dalein Diallo, and the Party of Renewal and Progress. The move […]
ECOWAS Team Leaves Guinea-Bissau After Threat of Expulsion
A mission from the West African Regional bloc, ECOWAS, has left Guinea-Bissau saying the president had threatened to expel it. The team was sent to the country last month to help it reach a “political consensus” on how to conduct elections this year. It said it had “prepared a draft agreement on a roadmap for […]
WADEMOS Calls for Release of Protesters Arrested Over Internet Price Regulation Demonstration in The Gambia
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network has taken notice of the recent arrest and detention of some concerned citizens of The Gambia who were protesting hikes in internet tariffs in the country. The Network, in solidarity with the citizens of Gambia, condemns the clampdown on the civil and political liberties of Gambians, including their right to protest, and […]
Minister Says Dozens of Civilians Killed in Togo since January by Al Qaeda Affiliate
As insecurity spirals in Togo, the country’s foreign minister says a group affiliated with Al Qaeda has killed at least 54 civilians and 8 soldiers so far this year. The comments to news agency, Reuters, was a rare official acknowledgement of the death toll in attacks. Robert Dussey said there have been 15 incidents in northern […]
Ivory Coast President Ouattara to Stand for a Fourth Term in Office
Three months before Ivory Coast’s presidential election, long-standing leader Alassane Ouattara has announced he will be standing for a fourth term in office, ending months of speculation. “I am a candidate because I want our beloved Côte d’Ivoire to continue to remain a prosperous country, in peace and security,” he said in a televised address […]
Togo Votes in Local Elections Amid Outburst of Public Anger: What to Know
ensions are palpable in the West African nation of Togo as highly anticipated local government elections are being held following weeks of angry protests calling for leader Faure Gnassingbe to resign. Although small, Togo commands weight as a developing maritime and transit hub in the region because of an important port in the seaside capital, […]
At Least 9 Killed, many Abducted in ‘Bandit’ Gang Attack in Nigeria
At least nine people have been reported killed and many abducted following an attack in Nigeria’s northwest, residents and local officials said, amid increasing violence against farmers by what have been described as “bandit” gangs. The deadly attack on Friday took place in Zamfara state, the epicentre of attacks by heavily armed men known locally as bandits […]
Do Africa’s Leaders have a ‘Game Plan’ to Deal with Trump?
Former African Union diplomat Arikana Chihombori argues that Trump’s Africa policy is ‘a step in the right direction’. Africa’s leaders have no one to blame but themselves if they cannot reach equitable trade deals with the United States, argues the former representative of the African Union to the US, Arikana Chihombori-Quao. Chihombori-Quao tells host Steve […]
Why ‘Pan-Africanist’ Influencers Pushed Rumours of a Coup
In May, Mafalda Marchioro woke up to messages from friends living overseas asking if she was safe in Abidjan, the largest city in Ivory Coast. Social media was full of posts claiming a coup was under way. Dramatic footage of soldiers on the street flooded platforms, while AI-generated and presenter-led reports were racking up millions […]