2022 has been a very eventful year for African civil society groups as the continent grapples with conflict, rising costs of living and the adverse effects of climate change, among other humanitarian challenges.
As the year progresses, development diary looks back at some of the top stories that moved the civil society space in Africa in 2023.
Flooding in Nigeria: What is the escape route?
Torrential rains have hit Nigeria with its worst flooding ever. Millions of people were affected and more than 600 people died, and it was described as the worst flood disaster in the country in her decade.
Kuje Attack: CSOs Seek Peace of Mind
Following the attack on the Kuje Correctional Center (prison) in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, some civil society officials and concerned Nigerians demanded a drastic response.
The center was attacked by terrorists late Tuesday, July 5, 2022, using high explosives and firearms, and more than 800 of the 994 prisoners, including 64 Boko Haram terrorists, escaped. .
Osun Poll Observer Discloses Key Findings
The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, the Center for Democracy Development (CDD) and Iaga Africa all said they observed open negotiations to buy and sell votes in the 2022 Osun gubernatorial election.
In various reports, civil society organizations (CSOs) said the buying and selling of votes was well coordinated by voting agents in many voting units.
African Union announces new gender signature
The African Union (AU) Commission has announced that there will be a new gender signature on “equality for men and women”.
The Chair of the Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, reiterated and announced the signatures for the dignity and protection of all forcibly displaced women and girls in Africa.
Ekwelemadu: Activists talk about challenges and expectations
As the trial of former Nigerian Senate Vice-President Ike Ekwelemadu and his wife Beatrice continues, human rights activist Olkunle Adeogun points out what the couple must do to prove their innocence.
Arrested by London Metropolitan Police in England on 23 June 2022, Ekweremadus is charged with conspiring to traffickers for organ harvesting in violation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
British prosecutors say the couple have a daughter who has a kidney-related illness and has been on dialysis for quite some time.
Prosecutors believe the plan was to use David Nuwamini’s organs for his daughter who needed a kidney transplant.
Algeria: CIHRS Condemns ‘Death Penalty’ Sentence
The Cairo Institute for Human Rights (CIHRS) has condemned the “death sentence” by a military tribunal of Algerian activist and whistleblower Mohammed Benhalima on terrorism charges.
Former military officer Ben Halima has exposed corruption in Algerian military officials on his YouTube channel and participated in Hirak protests against Algerian authorities in 2019.
Algerian officials say Ben Halima joined a terrorist group that endangered the security and integrity of the country, spread false information, demoralized the army and undermined public order.
Democracy Day and Broken Promises
Auwal Rafsanjani, executive director of the Center for Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC), said President Muhammadu Buhari had failed to provide Nigerians with the benefits of democracy.
Speaking on Democracy Day in Nigeria on June 12, Rafsanjani claimed that Buhari had failed in his basic election promises to the Nigerian people.
Nigeria’s leaders have vowed to tackle insecurity, corruption and economic challenges ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
The Paradigm Initiative Makes a Call for Digital Rights
The Paradigm Initiative called for a collective commitment and collaboration to deepen digital inclusion and protect human rights online in Africa.
The nonprofit also called on African governments to take steps to understand the cross-cutting issues that lead to abuse, enabling environments and poor policies in digital ecosystems.
The call was made in Ronda in the organization Current Status of Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa report, In it, he pointed out that African governments have shown no urgency in implementing laws and policies related to digitalization.
Report Threat to RSF Press Freedom
Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists in West Africa, according to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Africa’s most populous country ranks 129th out of 180 countries in RSF’s latest Press Freedom Index. Nigeria ranked her 120th in 2021.
Domestic journalists are often monitored, attacked, arbitrarily arrested, and even killed, according to the rankings.
Ghana: WACSI explores contribution to civil society
A study by the West African Civil Society Institute (WASCI) found that civil society organizations (CSOs) have made significant contributions to Ghana’s development over the years.
a study entitled Contribution of civil society organizations to the national development of Ghana, CSOs have played a unique role in strengthening democratic governance, policy advocacy and influence, poverty reduction and service delivery in West African countries.
Minister gets civil society reaction
Four nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have dismissed allegations by Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, that some NGOs are working to destabilize the country.
Mohammed, who made this allegation in February 2022 when he appeared on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) telephone program Radiolink, said Nigerians should be cautious about the activities of some NGOs. Stated.
AU condemns violent treatment of African migrants
African Union Commission (AUC) President Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for a fair and prompt investigation into the deaths of more than 20 African migrants who tried to cross the fence between Morocco and Spain. rice field.
The AU’s executive director said he was “shocked” by the violent and “degrading” treatment of African migrants within the continent.
6 African countries registered in the mRNA Vaccine Hub
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia as the first six countries to receive the technology needed to produce mRNA Covid-19 vaccines in Africa.
WHO’s Global mRNA Technology Transfer Hub will be established in 2021 to help manufacturers in low and middle income countries (LMICs) produce their own Covid-19 vaccines to protect the public health of their populations.
Justice for Hanifa Abubakar
The Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) and other CSOs urge Nigeria’s federal, state and local governments to take necessary action to identify and prevent threats to children’s rights I asked for
Hanifa was kidnapped in December 2021 by Abdulmalik Mohamed Thanko, the manager of her school, and demanded a ransom of around N6 million ($14,600).
According to police, Tangko, 34, killed Hanifa after recognizing her.
Impact of ‘fake news’ on Côte d’Ivoire – report
The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa reported that misinformation poses a major threat to political stability in Côte d’Ivoire.
think tank in a report titled Ivory Coast’s Fake News Ecosystem: An Overviewnoted that the misinformation largely revolves around political tensions and existing social divisions.
Nigerian Youth and the Rise of ‘Japa’
The Japa series explored why people migrate, how this trend is impacting Nigeria’s economy, and what Nigerians seeking greener pastures should know before leaving the country.
2023 Election: CSO Sets Basic Education Agenda
More than 100 civil society organizations (CSOs) and a coalition of development partners call on citizens to involve political candidates in planning basic education as the campaign for the 2023 elections in Nigeria heats up I was.
Aisha Buhari condemns arrest of Twitter user
The wife of Nigerian President Aisha Buhari has come under fire for allegedly ordering the arrest and detention of Aminu Muhammad for allegedly defamatory social media posts.
Did COP27 contribute to Africa?
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP27, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, was dubbed the “Africa COP.”
‘Agbelos’: Lagos drivers’ and commuters’ nightmare
A strike by commercial bus drivers in southwestern Nigeria’s Lagos state has left school children stranded and unable to make it to school on time.
