The state of freedom of expression and civic participation in West Africa in April 2026 reflected a troubling pattern of repression where state institutions continued to treat dissent and critical expression as threats rather than essential elements of democratic governance.
The region witnessed 12 cases of freedom of expression violations across seven countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo with journalists, political actors, activists, and ordinary citizens facing arrests, threats, physical attacks, intimidation, restrictive sanctions, and the misuse of legal and administrative powers for exercising their rights to speak, protest, and hold authorities to account.
Governments and regulatory authorities used laws and coercive measures to suppress free speech and peaceful assembly. This includes the suspension of a television programme and two presenters in Guinea, the arrest of citizens over speech-related offences in Ghana, the violent dispersion of a peaceful protest in Mauritania, and the imprisonment of an opposition flagbearer aspirant in Sierra Leone.
The documented cases of freedom of expression violations recorded this month rose significantly from the 8 violations recorded in March.
It is worth mentioning, however, that April also witnessed some significantly positive accountability responses and actions from the courts and the police, demonstrating that accountability is possible when institutions act decisively and uphold the rule of law.
Notably, the Sierra Leone Police responded promptly to the assault on lawyer and journalist, Paul Kamara, while a High Court in Nigeria ordered the reinstatement of three university students who were suspended after they participated in a protest over school fees hikes.
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