Report: Africa's civic space remains mostly repressive

FILE - Anti-riot police officer arrest a suspected protester during a demonstration against the government in Nairobi, Kenya, Aug. 8, 2024. FILE - Police fire water canons during a protest in Nairobi, Kenya, July 16, 2024. Police hurled tear gas canisters to break up protests in Nairobi and other major cities accusing the president of poor governance and calling for his resignation.

Forty-three out of 50 countries and territories in sub-Saharan Africa have “restricted” or “shut down” civic spaces, according to a report released Wednesday by a global alliance of civil society organizations.