Civic Freedoms Decline 26% in West Africa, Nigeria Leads

A report by Space Change titled "Civic Space West Africa: Trends, Threats, and the Future" indicates a 26% increase in civic repression across West Africa from July 2022 to December 2024, with 801 violations recorded in 16 countries. Nigeria leads with 332 cases, accounting for 41% of total incidents, followed by Guinea (74), Mali (70), and Senegal (66).

The report identifies five structural drivers of this repression, including military coups, flawed elections, insecurity, and the misuse of digital technology. It emphasizes that judicial systems have become tools for repression, with a 700% increase in cases over three years.

The report warns that civic space repression has become systematic and calls for six strategic priorities to strengthen civil society, including engaging judicial actors and investing in digital security for activists. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Space Change, and Jame Savage from Fund Global Human Rights highlight the alarming suppression of fundamental freedoms in the region.