The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) officially opened its 83rd Ordinary Session on May 2, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, The Gambia. Centred on the theme of justice and reparations, the session brings together human rights defenders, government officials, and stakeholders from across Africa to tackle pressing issues such as accountability, human rights violations, and pathways toward reparative justice. The three-week event will shape critical decisions aimed at protecting and advancing human and peoples’ rights across the continent. More in the report.

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day, African movements have issued an urgent call to action as civic space crumbles under the popular leadership of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso. A joint statement signed by 18 movements and activists has condemned “kidnappings” under the regime and urged the international community to intervene, as journalists and dissenting voices are being rounded up. More is detailed in this revealing press release, which highlights how opposing voices are being forced to face jihadists in the Sahel.

African politics has long been male-dominated, but a transformation is underway. Women are rising to the highest office, challenging norms, and reshaping governance. The election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s first female president in 2025 marks a turning point in the push for gender-inclusive leadership. More in this publication.

Amidst Sudan’s ongoing violent conflict, a horrific and largely unseen crisis is unfolding, exposing the cruellest depths of war. More in this report.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has withdrawn its mission from Guinea-Bissau following threats of expulsion by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. More in the report.

Africa is owed US$36 trillion in climate debt by rich polluting countries, a new report by ActionAid shows. More in the press release, which contains a link to download the report.

African Clerks from the Society of Commonwealth Clerks held a meeting in The Gambia to exchange insights on strategizing the future of legislative administration in Africa. More in this news report.

ECOWAS issues statement on withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the ECOWAS. More in this press release.

The Gambia Bar Association welcomes the ECOWAS approval of the establishment of a Special Tribunal in The Gambia to prosecute alleged perpetrators who bear the most responsibility for human rights violations that occurred during the era of former President Jammeh.

The Gambia’s Victim Center welcomes the ECOWAS Authority’s decision to establish a Special Tribunal in The Gambia that will prosecute persons deemed to have committed gross human rights violations in the country. More in the statement.

Two civil society organizations launched a research paper on “Gender and Migration: Spotlight on Gambian Women’s Mobility” on Friday, 13th December 2024, at Baobab Hotel. More in the article.

At the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 15 December 2024, a landmark decision was made to establish the Special Tribunal for The Gambia. More in the press release from the Ministry of Justice.

Born in the small village of Bambali, Sedhiou in Senegal to Guinean parents, Sadio Mané grew up with a strong passion for football and struggled to achieve his dreams. More on his inspiring journey in the story.

The Gambia hosted the inaugural West African Youth Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo from 6th to 7th December 2024. More in the news report.

Stakeholders have issued a statement urging ECOWAS Heads of States to establish a Special Tribunal in The Gambia to prosecute former President Jammeh and people who bear the most responsibility for gross human rights violations from 1994 to 2017 as detailed in the report of the defunct Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

The University of the Gambia hosted the 5th Cinekambiya Festival themed “The Advancement of Creative Freedom Under the Barrow Administration Since 2017” attracting and amplifying PanAfrican Voices from Senegal, Ghana Egypt, Liberia, Germany, Togo, France and host nation The Gambia. More in the news report.

This report revisits The Gambia’s responsibility to invest time and resources to replace the century old Lunatics Detention Act still in use since the Colonial period as recommended by the ACHPR some 21 years ago. Our report interrogates the government’s efforts to improve mental health care in the country.

The ACHPR has noted that it would investigate claims by the Gambia Press Union that Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression are in decline because of the Government’s reluctance to repeal draconian media laws and acting on threats to utilize said laws to summon media personnel to court.

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) issued a statement condemning The Gambia Government’s use of Draconian Media Laws against Journalists.

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network with the support of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Dévelopment, recently presented its situation reports on Human Rights Defenders in ten African countries during a side event at the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.