Foreword from the Executive Director

In 1998, our founders believed that African regional human rights mechanisms could become powerful instruments for justice—if only they were used strategically, persistently, and in partnership with those most affected by injustice. Nearly three decades later, that belief continues to guide our work.

The year 2025 was defined by both urgency and resolve. Across the continent, civic space narrowed in some contexts, environmental harm intensified, harmful practices persisted, and political repression tested democratic institutions, especially in countries that held elections. Yet at the same time, regional human rights bodies continued to demonstrate their capacity, even with struggles, to shape jurisprudence, articulate standards, and demand accountability.

In this landscape, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa remained steadfast in its mission: to ensure that victims and communities can access regional justice mechanisms, and that decisions of human rights mechanisms do not remain symbolic victories but translate into real change.

In 2025, eight () decisions were delivered in cases led or supported by IHRDA before regional human rights bodies. These decisions strengthened jurisprudence on  sexual and gender-based violence, harmful practices including female genital mutilation, protection of persons with albinism, nationality and statelessness, access to justice, and civic freedoms. Each ruling represents not only legal progress but a measure of recognition for victims whose suffering had long gone unaddressed.

At the same time, we filed new and/or advanced submissions on pending cases involving child marriage in Sierra Leone, labour protection for domestic workers and excessive cost orders awarded against public interest litigants in Malawi, child protection failures in Botswana, arbitrary arrest of political actors and electoral justice in Tanzania, civic space restrictions and detention of political actors in Togo, deprivation of travel documents and seizure of the property of politically exposed persons in Rwanda and female genital mutilation in The Gambia. These cases reflect our deliberate strategy to address structural violations and emerging human rights challenges across multiple regions.

However, our work does not end with a judgment or recommendations. Implementation remains the most fragile link in the justice chain. In 2025, we deepened engagement with governments, national institutions, regional human rights mechanisms and victims to ensure that the decisions of courts and other human rights mechanisms resulted in compensation, medical treatment, educational access, housing, land allocation and legal reform. Progress was uneven—but tangible.

As a thought-leader, IHRDA continued to produce cutting edge research, with the publication of a comprehensive study on business and human rights in Africa.

Behind this work stands a growing and dedicated team, a refined IHRDA, strengthened partnerships with civil society across Africa, and the courage of victims who continue to place their trust in regional justice.

As we look ahead, we remain convinced that African human rights institutions are indispensable to the continent’s future. With persistence, collaboration and strategic engagement, rights on paper can become rights in practice.

Dr. Musa Kika, Executive Director

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