
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised the alarm over the ongoing crackdown by some African governments on political opponents, activists, journalists, and critics.
The organization reported that armed forces and rebel groups in certain African nations have targeted civilians, causing deaths and forcing families from their homes. These findings are part of HRW’s newly-released report, which highlights serious human rights violations across the continent.
The 2025 report particularly focuses on the devastating conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia. In Sudan, the ongoing war between the national armed forces and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to the displacement of 12 million people. This conflict has also resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure and hindered the delivery of vital humanitarian aid. In Ethiopia, the report describes how government forces in the Amhara region have committed numerous attacks on medical professionals, patients, and health facilities, exacerbating the suffering of vulnerable communities.
Mausi Segun, the head of HRW’s Africa Division, emphasised that armed conflict is not the only human rights violation affecting the continent. She highlighted increasing restrictions on civil liberties, such as intolerance for freedom of expression and assembly. HRW reports that protests are being suppressed, and individuals advocating for their rights or commenting on government policies are being targeted. In East Africa, disturbing trends of abductions have been noted, with anti-government protesters and foreign activists allegedly being forcibly taken, including some who were deported to countries like Turkey and Uganda.
The report also draws attention to the protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where civilians continue to suffer from violence, including killings, sexual assaults, and displacement. HRW’s Clementine de Montoye noted that the expansion of conflict is deepening harm to civilians, with no significant pressure on the warring factions to reduce their violations. Additionally, the report mentions the military-led regimes in West Africa, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which have cracked down on dissent, freedom of expression, and made little progress in addressing corruption.
In Southern Africa, HRW highlights Mozambique’s ongoing post-election violence, which has claimed hundreds of lives. The violence has led to a rise in physical and psychological injuries, including an increase in disabilities and mental health issues. Elizabeth Kamundia, HRW’s deputy director for disability rights, expressed concern about the challenges faced by those with mental health conditions, who are often unable to access necessary medication due to conflict and violence. Despite the widespread abuses, HRW acknowledges that African people are fighting back, using social media and street protests to demand an end to authoritarianism and the protection of their rights.