Mali Puts Free Speech on Trial
Prosecution of Former Prime Minister Embodies Heightened Repression On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Moussa Mara stood calmly before a court in Mali’s capital, Bamako, while the judges rejected his lawyers’ application for his release on bail. The prosecution instead sought a two-year prison sentence, an action encapsulating the military junta’s crackdown on political opposition and dissent. Security forces […]
Vendetta in Democratic Republic of Congo
Former President Kabila’s Trial Exposes Country’s Democratic Crisis A Congolese military court’s conviction and death sentence imposed on former President Joseph Kabila on September 30 highlights the fragile balance between accountability and political stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trial, for charges ranging from treason to war crimes, had all the trappings of a political […]
Tanzania: Deepening Repression Threatens Elections
Stop Wrongful Arrests, Media Crackdown; Ensure All Parties Can Fairly Participate The Tanzanian government has intensified political repression, raising grave concerns that the general elections scheduled for October 29, 2025, will be free and fair. The authorities have suppressed the political opposition and critics of the ruling party, stifled the media, and failed to ensure […]
Sahel Countries: ICC Withdrawal Endangers Civilians
AU Should Urge Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger to Reconsider Leaving Court The decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) will jeopardize access to justice for victims of atrocity crimes, putting all civilians at greater risk, Human Rights Watch said today. On September 22, 2025, the military leaders […]
US/Africa: Expulsion Deals Flout Rights
African Governments Should Terminate Agreements and Refuse New Ones The United States’ recent expulsions of third-country nationals to Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan have exposed several hundred people to a risk of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and refoulement, Human Rights Watch said today. The opaque deals that facilitate these transfers, at least some of which include US financial assistance, are […]
Ethiopia: Surge in Arrests of Journalists, Media Workers
Clampdown Stifles Independent Voices Ahead of Anticipated National Elections Ethiopian security forces have arbitrarily arrested several journalists and media professionals since August 2025, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should end their harassment of independent journalists and immediately release all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and opinion. “The Ethiopian […]
Cycling Event Can’t Override Rwanda’s Abuses
Kigali May Be Open to International Sports, but Not to Critics The roads of Kigali are hosting the International Cycling Union Road World Championships, a proof of Rwanda’s “remarkable journey of transformation” and “warm hospitality” according to the sporting body. But the celebration of international cycling’s flagship event cannot cover up Rwanda’s abusive human rights record. […]
South Sudan: Ensure Due Process, Fair Trials of Opposition
Justice Minister Indicts Riek Machar, Others After 6 Months of Arbitrary Detention South Sudanese authorities should uphold due process for the opposition leader and First Vice President Riek Machar, other opposition members, and affiliates facing charges, and ensure prompt, fair, and public trials that meet international standards, Human Rights Watch said today. If due process […]
DR Congo: Militias, Army Threaten South Kivu Civilians
Military Should End Support to Abusive Armed Groups Congolese military forces and a coalition of abusive militias are threatening the security of civilians in Uvira, South Kivu province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch said today. The militias known as Wazalendo (“patriots” in Swahili) are allied with the Congolese army and oppose the […]
Ethiopian Health Professionals to Resume Striking
Government Should Address Grievances, Not Crush Prote Health professionals in Ethiopia plan to resume striking on September 15 to demand better wages and living conditions, marking the second round of strikes in recent months. Following months of organizing spearheaded by the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement (EHPM), public health care workers launched a nationwide walkout in May, halting […]
