Recent developments in sub-Saharan Africa during 2018

Abstract

This article highlights selected developments in democracy and human rights in Africa during 2018. While highlighting the progress that Africa has made in relation to democracy in countries such as Ethiopia, Angola, South Africa and Sierra Leone, it demonstrates how the situations in Uganda, Cameroon and Togo continued to be an attack on democracy. It also explains how, despite the lack of focus on democracy in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, this Agreement can lead to more democratic governance with respect for the rule of law in African countries. It then focuses on developments within the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. In 2018 these judicial and quasi-judicial human rights institutions have handed down decisions or adopted soft laws with a view to better protecting human rights across the continent. Key words: democracy; human rights; African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights; African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights; communications