The fourth quarter of 2024 recorded 35 incidents of freedom of expression violations across West Africa, representing a 12.5% decrease from the previous quarter (July–September 2024), which recorded 40 cases. Despite the decline, the majority of the violations remained unresolved at the time this report was compiled.
Ghana registered the highest number of violations (8), followed by Nigeria, Mali and Guinea with four cases each. Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal recorded three violations each, while Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Niger documented two each. Burkina Faso, Togo and Mauritania each recorded one violation.
Security agents were responsible for the largest share of the violations (43%), followed by state/public officials (17%). Other perpetrators included individuals, media regulatory bodies, courts, organised groups and political party affiliates.
Click here to access the full report.