Sub-Saharan Africa
The future of Africa is often regarded in a strangely unimaginative and pessimistic way. Yet Africa today is full of diversity, economic potential and innovative development.
However, the continent faces numerous challenges. As a liberal foundation, we believe that sustainable development depends on strong democratic institutions. Through our activities, we therefore promote liberal policies such as human rights, the rule of law, innovation, digitalisation and free trade.
From our offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Abidjan and Dakar, we support partners in several African countries in advocating liberal values and implementing democratic structures.
News
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Addressing Human Rights Challenges in Africa: Perspectives and Solutions
As the world marks International Human Rights Day, ongoing global struggles with wars, coups, and election irregularities raise grave concerns about the continuous violation of fundamental human rights. In conflict zones like eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, human rights violations are on the rise. The unstable security situation in eastern DRC has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with reports of towns being attacked by armed groups. Similarly, in South Sudan, community-based militias were responsible for a majority of violence against civilians between July and September, as documented by the latest UN Mission in South Sudan’s human rights brief.
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Corruption, A Human Rights Crisis And Economic Menace
Human rights groups and scholars in sub-Saharan Africa say that corruption is a human rights violation, denying the poor in the region access to basic services like healthcare, education, electricity, clean water, and sanitation facilities. As the world marks Anti-Corruption Day on Saturday, calls are growing louder for ethical governance and more stringent measures to curb corruption, which rights groups say is the number one problem hampering development in the region, as corrupt elites loot funds meant for national development.
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Unveiling Africa's Imperative: Priorities and Urgencies at COP28 for Climate Justice
COP28 kicks off and African negotiators arrive with a particular sense of moral and practical urgency. Since the last such conference, the region has been battered by an unprecedented series of natural disasters driven by climate change – from historic levels of drought in the Horn of Africa to storms of record strength in southern Africa and Libya. Seven out of ten of the countries worst affected by climate change in the world today are in Africa.
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Challenges and Struggles Faced by Persons with Disabilities Across Africa: A Closer Look at Policies, Realities, and Hope for Change
From Cape to Cairo, many are the tears of the African people living with disabilities, pummelled by poverty from all directions, yet with governments brandishing sound national disability policy documents. Celebrated every third of December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance endorsed by the United Nations since 1992. However, three decades later, Africa’s disability activists like Mandimba see nothing positive about the observance of the day.
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Podium Finish - Celebrating Our Female Human Rights Defenders In Africa
Today, on 29 November, we commemorate the United Nations International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders. As we approach the year's end, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation takes a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of our human rights defender partners from Sub-Saharan Africa. The FNF Africa regional programme has the privilege and honour of collaborating with remarkable stalwarts and game-changers dedicated to defending human rights.
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An Outlook of Continued Unity and Positivity Ahead of October 2025!
Effective campaigning and communication hinge on messaging, which plays a central role not only during election periods but also in maintaining and growing your support base, as well as keeping others connected with your cause. Bringing a manifesto's vision to life is a testament to real-time leadership and effective action. FNF Africa, in collaboration with LDS in Seychelles, recently conducted a two-day intensive training workshop for youth campaign activists.
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Zimbabwean Author Tsitsi Dangarembga Honoured with Africa Freedom Prize for Literary and Social Justice Contributions
Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga has been awarded the prestigious Africa Freedom Prize by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. The award ceremony took place on 5 October 2023 at the iconic and packed Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, where Dangarembga was celebrated for her outstanding contributions to literature and social justice.
Social Media
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🌍✨ Celebrating International Human Rights Day! 🕊️🤝 In 1948, the United Nations enshrined 30 articles of human rights to which all people are entitled, without restriction, from birth. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom #humanrights projects around the world promote human rights education and lay the foundations for building just and tolerant societies. Liberal democracy can only exist when freedom and equality are enjoyed equally by all. Read more about our commitment in our current Human Rights Defender.
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Last year António Guterres said “The world is facing unprecedented and interlocking challenges to human rights”. Our common humanity is the most fundamental thing we share. Let’s protect it and reverse the damaging trends showing up in hunger, poverty, violence, climate change and other threats around the world. We call on states, civil society, the private sector and individuals to reignite their commitment to all human rights - civil, cultural, economic, political and social. #HumanRightsDay #UN
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Watch Ester Joseph, a partner of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Tanzania office, and her powerful journey from practicing female genital mutilation (FGM) to becoming a passionate advocate against it. Learn how she now empowers communities to combat harmful practices like FGM and early marriages. Tune in for insights on empowerment, breaking cycles of human rights violations, and join the conversation for change! #ENDFGM #Tanzania #Empowerment #HumanRights #16DaysOfActivism
