MAY 2022

The lack of community representation in decision-making weakens health policy reforms and environmental adaptation strategies. Moreover, the cascading impacts of COVID-19 have exposed structural vulnerabilities in the delivery of public services, especially in reaching marginalised members of the population, which have accelerated a disillusionment with policymakers.

NGOs aware of this challenge continue to promote civic awareness and education to support inclusive participation in governance processes, while businesses are increasingly influencing the political agenda.

MAY 2022

While the UN-sponsored roadmap for Libya’s political transition is set to expire in June 2022, the ripple effects of the recent Cybercrime Law are raising concerns regarding the freedom of expression and digital safety and security of Libyan citizens, including researchers and human rights defenders.

Ahead of the presidential elections, social activists, peacebuilders, and community leaders perceive this new legislation as a further barrier to accessing safe spaces that they have created to share initiatives, coordinate themselves and communicate anonymously during these times of uncertainty.

MAY 2022

Although the Tunisian ’Youth’ is generally perceived as key instigators of the revolution, young activists are struggling to maintain their voices, credibility and participation in politics. Current political agenda appear to focus on short- term solutions as well as key business and financial sector interests.

The growing disengagement and mistrust in political systems are shared among other actor groups, including civil society organisations who feel distant from policymaking processes. The lack of access to reliable sources of information causes the population, especially the younger generations, to turn to alternative media.

MAY 2022

Violence in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions has accelerated pressures on healthcare facilities and personnel shortages while the country is experiencing a daily rise in cholera cases. The epidemiological situation is evolving and is exacerbated due to the difficulties of managing the growing flows of trans-border movements and large-scale internal displacements.

The war in Ukraine has caused European refiners to import West and Central African crude to reduce their importations from Russia. Cameroon, the fifth larger oil producer in Africa, is becoming a vulnerable target to external actors and non-state armed groups. Local communities are scared to participate actively in national dialogues while no clear inclusive directions or implementation steps for peaceful negotiations have been set.

MAY 2022

Polarisation of media and pressures on news reporting has led to different interpretations of the ongoing violence and humanitarian crises in Ethiopia. Mainstream, alternative and social media platforms are emerging as a second front to manage crisis communication narratives and early-warning signals.

Experts and data-driven analyses are drowned out by the flows of misinformation and biased narratives from various sides. The complexity in assessing and verifying facts and testimonies makes it harder for people to trust the reliability of secondary data points and official discourses.

MAY 2022

Ahead of the upcoming general election, the COVID-19 pandemic has given Kenya a new sense of urgency to upscale the implementation of Universal Health Coverage. While the government is expanding access to health services, the need to accelerate the delivery of national identification documents has become a priority. The delays in digital identity hinder access to education, human rights remedies and employment schemes, discriminating and marginalising parts of the population such as internally displaced persons.

Although non-state actors are seeking to provide innovative solutions to complement structural vulnerabilities, fragilities in legal frameworks are exploited by unscrupulous private offerings. If many predicted the results of previous elections through tribal lenses, post- pandemic community-based priorities can shift voter trends.

MAY 2022

Parts of the country are facing famine, driven by the upsurge in political instability, violence and ecological risks. Moreover, conflicts have weakened the national capacities to deliver essential health services, which is allocated less than 2% of the national budget.

Accountability and acknowledgment of mismanagement are first steps in consolidating trust towards public authorities. In the meantime, the lack of qualified and experienced humanitarian professionals is raising concerns in a country in which 75% of its population are in need of assistance.

MAY 2022

Although the private sector, dominated by small and medium enterprises, contributes to the vast majority of Uganda’s GDP and participates in the delivery of public goods, the lack of regulations and frameworks increases the risk of tax evasion and disregards the value of informal work. As a result, this hinders access and quality of essential services.

The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered structural vulnerabilities in the aid and health sectors, especially in terms of logistics and technology. A potential law to fine unvaccinated individuals is under discussion. However, there is a persistent fear of falsified and substandard medicines among the general public. Since June 2021, news of falsified vaccines has been published widely in the media, increasing public mistrust.

MAY 2022

Although Botswana is among the most literate nations in Africa, indigenous communities face multiple discriminations, especially in the education sector.Indigenous communities remain among the most underprivileged in the country.

Mainstream media share the collective responsibility to shine a light on the challenges faced and adapt the dominant narratives that are perpetuated

MAY 2022

Civic and citizenship education is relatively low in Malawi and a majority of the population remains unheard in decision-making processes.

While NGOs and civil society organisations seek to improve the livelihoods of Malawians at different levels, many NGOs are not working directly with local communities and remain too dependent on donors’ incentives and agenda.

MAY 2022

Although Mozambique has made noticeable progress in improving the justice system, it still faces considerable challenges which hinder efficiency in the fight against violent extremism.

Talks are taking place among the younger active generations to discuss solutions on how to adapt the current democratic model and practices and boost visibility of these civic spaces globally.

MAY 2022

The propagation of COVID-19 has increased concerns about abuse of power and the misuse of public capital and resources.

Social media enable a step towards transparent and accountable institutions by disseminating information on public service deliveries and legal processes. However, the digital divide remains acute. Moreover, myths and rumours have been widely shared on social media platforms during the pandemic.