The African Union has developed a strong legal framework to protect human rights and democracy, alongside regulations governing digital transformation, notably the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection. In the context of a shrinking civic space, this framework is key, as the digital sphere is used by activists as a refuge and a means of mobilisation.
However, the digital field also presents significant democratic risks such as state surveillance, internet shutdowns and disinformation campaigns hampering the public discourse. In particular, African states are largely weaponising cybersecurity-related laws to crack down on activists. To prevent this, the African Union conventions on human rights and digital rights should be strongly enforced and monitored. States should be supported for implementation, but must also be held accountable in case of non-compliance.
The African Union should ensure the digital transformation fulfils its promises by fostering democracy, open governance and digital rights with funding for infrastructure, innovation, digital public services, participative platforms and media and information.
EPD works to support young activists to address shrinking civic space, rampant disinformation, and increasing digital surveillance in the Sahel and West Africa and Horn of Africa regions.
We do so mainly through the Digitalise Youth Project under the Digital Democracy Initiative. The Digitalise Youth project promotes digital rights at local, regional, and international levels and is implemented by: European Partnership for Democracy, Africtivistes, Code for Africa, CFI Media Development, Kofi Annan Foundation and the World Scout Organisation.
