CAJ Raises Alarm Over Rising Attacks on Press Freedom Across Africa

The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has expressed deep concern over what it described as an escalating assault on press freedom across Africa, condemning the increasing arrests, detentions, disappearances and intimidation of journalists in several countries on the continent.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the continental media body said developments across Africa in 2025 and 2026 indicate a growing pattern of repression against independent journalism, warning that governments are increasingly using criminal justice systems and restrictive laws to silence critical reporting.

Chairman of the CAJ Board of Trustees and Editor-in-Chief of CAJ International Magazine, Michael Adeboboye, said the organisation’s findings revealed widespread arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, enforced disappearances, internet shutdowns and the misuse of cybercrime and national security laws against journalists.

“Across the region, governments have intensified crackdowns through shutdowns, arrests and arbitrary detentions. They are weaponizing criminal justice systems to target journalists,” Adeboboye said.

“This is happening at a time when citizens need credible information the most.”

According to CAJ, Eritrea remains one of the worst offenders, with 16 journalists reportedly detained for more than two decades without trial. Ethiopia was also cited for jailing five journalists on terrorism-related charges linked to coverage of the Amhara conflict, while the operating licences of Wazema Radio and Addis Standard were reportedly revoked.

The organisation also highlighted the detention of five journalists in Niger, including staff members of Sahara FM who have remained in custody since May 10, 2025. Rwanda, Cameroon, Senegal and Tunisia were equally listed among countries where journalists continue to face imprisonment under various charges.

CAJ further drew attention to fresh incidents recorded in July 2026, including the detention of Ugandan journalist Timothy Kalyegira and the military shutdown of Nation Media Group operations in Uganda.

In Nigeria, the organisation expressed concern over the reported disappearance of investigative journalist Stanley Ugagbe of Secret Reporters in Abuja, while in Kenya it condemned an alleged armed attempt to abduct The Standard Group Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich.

The body also accused military-led governments in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso of intensifying restrictions on media freedom following recent coups. It alleged that cybercrime laws in the three countries now carry prison terms of up to 10 years, while critics in Burkina Faso reportedly face forced conscription.

Investigative editor Serge Oulon has also remained missing since June 2024, it added.

Other concerns raised by CAJ include Zimbabwe’s Patriot Act, newsroom raids in South Sudan, Madagascar’s “fake news” legislation, and attacks on more than 15 journalists in South Africa.

The organisation said at least 42 journalists were in prison across Africa as of December 1, making the continent the fourth-highest globally for jailed journalists.

It added that journalists were detained in 33 of the 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa during 2025, while more than 80 per cent of the region’s population now lives in what it described as “repressed” or “closed” civic spaces.

CAJ called for the immediate release of all imprisoned journalists, the repeal of laws criminalising journalism, an end to internet shutdowns and military interference in media operations, and independent investigations into attacks and disappearances involving journalists.

The organisation also urged the African Union and regional bodies to take stronger action in safeguarding press freedom across the continent.

Secretary-General of CAJ, Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, stressed that independent journalism should not be viewed as a threat to governments.

“A free press is not a threat to national security. It is the foundation of it,” he said.