West Africa, once seen as a democratic beacon on the continent, has seen its reputation decline, according to Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The region has experienced a series of military coups in countries like Mali, Guinea, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Freedom of expression and press freedom are increasingly under threat, with journalists facing attacks, harassment, and arbitrary detention. Security forces are often responsible for these abuses, yet they frequently act with impunity. The MFWA has called for legal reforms to protect freedom of expression and reinforce democratic institutions. The forum also emphasized the urgent need to address the growing threats to press freedom in the region.
Source:https://www.modernghana.com/news/1347637/west-africa-has-sadly-lost-its-democratic-reputati.html