The year 2025 revealed a troubling reality: civic space in West Africa has shrunk even further, undermining the work of human rights defenders (HRDs). Amid endless political transitions, military regimes, persistent security crises, and contested elections, HRDs have seen their working environment deteriorate significantly.
It is against this backdrop that the West African Network of Human Rights Defenders (ROADDH) is publishing its annual report. This essential document highlights the growing threats. In particular, the report condemns the exploitation of pseudo-Pan-Africanist or anti-French rhetoric, which is used to justify restrictive measures, stigmatize civil society, and undermine the legitimacy of human rights defenders.
This report is much more than a statement of facts: it is a call for vigilance and solidarity. Read the full report below.
