The state of freedom of expression and civic participation in West Africa in May 2026 reflected a troubling pattern of repression, as government authorities in both democratic and military-led states continued to treat dissent and critical expression as threats rather than essential elements of democratic governance.
The region recorded 16 cases of freedom of expression violations, the highest so far in 2026, across seven countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Mauritania, and Niger – with journalists, lawyers, religious leaders, activists, political figures, student organisations, and international media outlets facing arrests, detention, prosecutions, administrative suspensions, enforced disappearances, and regulatory sanctions for exercising their rights to speak, protest, and hold authorities to account.
Government authorities, security forces, judicial authorities, and media regulatory bodies invoked national security, the fight against disinformation and cybercrime, and the maintenance of public order to justify these actions.
This includes the abduction of Malian lawyer Mountaga Tall in Bamako over his public criticism of the transition government’s political direction, and the arrest of Imam Dr Mohamed Ishaq Kindo for criticising a bill on religious freedom, which triggered further violations including the closure of the main Sunni Movement Mosque, the arrest of nearly 100 protesters, and the forcible dispersal of demonstrators.
The documented cases of freedom of expression violations recorded this month rose significantly from the 12 violations recorded in April.
These incidents point to a continued shrinking of civic space and growing intolerance of dissenting voices across the region.
This May 2026 report was produced with support from the 11th Hour Project of the Schmidt Family Foundation. It draws on data gathered through MFWA’s daily monitoring of the freedom of expression environment across the sixteen countries it covers, via its network of monitors, correspondents, and national partners.
Read the full report below.
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