In a historic meeting the 2 September chaired by Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the African Union (AU) and the current Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), the Council addressed the pressing issues of journalist protection and access to information in conflict situations across Africa for the first time.
This session marks a significant development in the ongoing effort to ensure the safety and security of journalists and to uphold the right to access information. For many years, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pan-African regional organization, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), have urged the African Union and its relevant bodies to give priority to this issue, which is essential for maintaining press freedom on the continent.
During the Council's 1230th meeting, FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman briefed the 15 members and various AU bodies on the dangerous conditions journalists in Africa endure, especially those in conflict zones. These include killings, harassment, arbitrary arrests, attacks on female journalists and widespread restrictions on access to information, severely affecting many African citizens, particularly in times of crisis.
The Council also heard from H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Commissioner Adeoye highlighted that protecting freedom of expression is critical for developmental rights in Africa, noting that attacks on journalists are attacks on all continent's citizens and called for collective efforts to safeguard their fundamental human rights.
Honourable Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), emphasised the ACHPR's actions in Banjul. The ACHPR has adopted key resolutions and communicated with African Union member states about the protection of African journalists.
Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, on behalf of the Peace and Security Council, issued a press statement after the meeting where the Council:
1. “commended the journalists for their public interest work in promoting democracy, freedom of speech and political accountability and for contributing to the early warning which allowed for the prevention of conflicts; also commended the efforts of the AU Commission, the ACHPR and the APRM in promoting the role of journalists in contributing to peace, security and democracy and towards the development of Africa in ensuring human rights are upheld”.
2. “expressed concern over the rising number of violent attacks and threats to journalists and humanitarian workers in conflict situations and condemned all violations and abuses committed; the Council further expressed solidarity and paid tribute to all journalists and humanitarian workers who lost their lives in duty and called Member States to ensure accountability for those who committed those crimes”
3. “encouraged Member States to actively engage in the development and implementation of national and regional strategies that align with AU guidelines and principles that safeguard the safety of journalists and media facilities, particularly the October 1995 Johannesburg principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information; the Resolution 185 of 2011 of the Banjul Charter, the 2013 AU Model Law on Access to Information; and the 2019 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.”
4. “encouraged the AU Member States to consider forming a Working Group on the Protection of Journalists and National Coordination Mechanisms for the Safety of Journalists as well as of Friends for the Safety of Journalists within the PRC to work with other relevant stakeholders, such as the APRM and AU ECOSOCC Journalists in Africa, to improve cooperation and ensure a safe environment for media workers.
5. “requested the AU Commission to put in place comprehensive, forward-looking and action-oriented actions on the protection and safety of Journalists in times of armed conflict in line with the International Declaration such as the 2004 Geneva Declaration on Actions to Promote Safety and Security of Journalists and Media in Dangerous Situations’
6. “requested the AU Commission to facilitate the development of a strategy and policy framework that enables the use of information and the media for peace-building, mediation, reconciliation, post-conflict reconstruction and peace support operations; the Council further requested the AU Commission to develop frameworks to oversee the responsible integration of the safety of journalists in military operations, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and international humanitarian law as applied to civilian protection and submit the outcomes for consideration by the Council;
7. “expressed concern over the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in digital platforms and underscored the need to enhance efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation through media and other platforms while also addressing the risks associated with the generation of false informatio
8. “requested the AU Commission to support continental mechanisms for the safety of journalists that will distinguish and separate duty bearers, citizens and rightful professional journalists on the protection of journalists and urged the AU Commission to strengthen security measures by incorporating media ethics that can efficiently identify and mitigate social media and digital media threats as well as to undertake efforts to ensure robust protection of media infrastructures in armed conflict.”
In reacting to this, FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman declared: "The decision by the AU Peace and Security Council is a beacon of hope for journalists across Africa in the face of dangers and conflicts. It signifies a crucial transformative step towards establishing a safe haven for media professionals who risk everything to shine a light on the darkest corners of our societies. We now have a clear and actionable commitment from the highest levels to protect not just the lives of journalists but also the fundamental freedoms that underpin our democracies. We will do everything it takes to see this outcome implemented to the letter."
Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the IFJ, responded to the Council’s action, stating: "This landmark move by the Peace and Security Council is a game-changer for press freedom across Africa. It underscores a significant shift in policy and a firm commitment to combat the impunity of crimes committed against journalists that too often silences voices within the media and stifles freedom of the press. We are galvanized by this action and resolute in our mission in conjunction with the FAJ to see these promises become a reality, ensuring every journalist in Africa can work without fear of repression or violence."
As the AU moves from policy articulation to action, the IFJ and FAJ remain committed to working closely with the African Union Commission, the PSC, ACHPR and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) to ensure that the continent becomes a safer place for journalists. This proactive stance by the AU demonstrates a deep commitment not only to protecting journalists but also to reinforcing the principles of democracy, freedom of expression and access to information across the African continent.