We delivered an oral intervention following the presentation of the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa. In our statement called for stronger protection of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), including integrating their protection into the monitoring of the implementation of the Maputo Protocol. We also raised concerns about the risks facing WHRDs in Ethiopia and Sudan, as well as restrictions on women’s civic participation in Zimbabwe and highlighted growing technology-facilitated gender-based violence. #DDATACHPR89 #ADATACHPR89

On Saturday, the NGO Forum preceding the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR89) came to a close, bringing three days of dialogue, learning, advocacy, and collective action to an end. The Forum brought together more than 350 participants from across the globe. Human rights defenders, civil society organisations, legal experts, and other stakeholders convened to reflect on pressing human rights concerns, exchange experiences, and develop collective recommendations for engagement with the African Commission. Held under the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the Forum highlighted the importance of access to water and safe sanitation as fundamental human rights. It also created space for discussions on the broader challenges affecting human rights, democracy, and civic space across the continent. Listen to Faith and @AdamuUsmanGarko , two mentees under our Roots of Resilience Mentorship Program, as they share their experiences from Day 2 of the Forum and reflect on the conversations that stood out for them. Maria Kaddu, @CharmAfric Coordinator, also reflects on how the consortium’s engagement in the Forum supports its mission to strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of journalists, human rights defenders and their organisations, helping to foster more democratic societies. The Forum’s final day featured presentations from special interest groups and the submission of recommendations to the Commission. The day's deliberations culminated in the adoption of nine thematic resolutions, including those addressing the protection of human rights defenders, transnational repression, enforced disappearances, and freedom of religion or belief, as well as three country specific resolutions on Somalia, Guinea Bissau, and Madagascar. Later today at the opening of the 89th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, these resolutions will be presented to the Commission for consideration. The Commission retains the mandate and authority to determine whether and how the resolutions will be advanced within its own processes. As our delegation participates in ACHPR89, our advocacy continues, ensuring that the priorities and concerns raised during the Forum remain firmly on the continental human rights agenda. #DDatACHPR89 #ADatACHPR89

DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders are in Dakar, Senegal, participating in the NGO Forum preceding the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), taking place from 8–10 October 2026. As part of our delegation, we are joined by five mentees from our Roots of Resilience Mentorship Programme from Libya, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, bringing their perspectives, experiences, and commitment to advancing human rights across Africa. Listen as our mentees share their reflections on Day 1 of the NGO Forum, where human rights defenders, civil society actors, and other stakeholders gathered to discuss the state of human rights and democracy across the continent. The first panel discussion of the day provided an overview and update on the situation of human rights and democracy in Africa through sub-regional focal point reports. Our Senior Programme Officer, Walda Shaka, presented an overview of the human rights context in East and the Horn of Africa, highlighting key developments and challenges affecting the region. The day's panels explored a range of critical human rights issues, including water justice and democratic inclusion for communities discriminated against on the basis of work and descent; an Afro-feminist perspective on shrinking civic space and protecting freedom of expression, association, and assembly; the implications of conflicts and unconstitutional changes of government for peace, security, and governance; and the promotion of economic, social, and cultural rights in the context of armed conflict. Over the three days, the forum's discussions will be guided by this year's African Union theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” highlighting the importance of equitable access to water and sanitation in advancing human rights and inclusive development. #DDatACHPR89 #ADatACHPR89 #RootsOfResilience

❝ Burundi faces renewed UN scrutiny ahead of 2027 elections ❞ [ Version française: ❝ Le Burundi fait face à une surveillance onusienne renouvelée à l’approche des élections de 2027 ❞ ] 🔖 Read our press release on today’s adoption, by the @UN_HRC, of a resolution on the country’s human rights situation: defenddefenders.org/burundi-… 🇧🇮 The Special Rapporteur will pursue his work at a critical juncture for #Burundi / Alors que le Burundi se trouve à un tournant critique, le Rapporteur spécial va poursuivre son travail. #BurundiCrisis 🔎 #HRC63

This morning, the management team, led by @Hassan_Shire, met with Katrin Einarsdottir and her colleagues, the new Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland in Kampala, following the tenure of Hildigunnur Engilbertsdóttir. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the three year partnership between the Embassy of Iceland and DefendDefenders, which has helped strengthen the work of human rights defenders(HRDs) across the continent. We are grateful for Iceland’s continued core support for our work and look forward to building further on this partnership to strengthen the safety, capacity, and resilience of HRDs across the region.

With our Executive Director @Hassan_shire back in the office, our management team convened its weekly meetings to strategise on the last quarter of the year. Today’s meeting focused on planning for the final quarter and aligning both existing and emerging priorities across our program areas of Protection, Digital Security and Advocacy. As we launch the final quarter of the year, we are turning the reflections from our mid-year staff retreat into action points. During the retreat we dedicated time to assess the year reviewing the progress made, analysing what is working well, discussing challenges encountered, and aligning our priorities for the months ahead. We remain focused on strengthening our collective efforts to protect and promote the rights of human rights defenders across Africa. #20yearsDefending