In a report launched Tuesday for Africa Anti-Corruption Day, Amnesty International denounced the “arrests”, “harassment”, “detentions” and “even death"against human rights defenders fighting corruption in the 19 countries of West and Central Africa. The organization thus urged states to fight corruption and stop “persecuting” human rights defenders

Amnesty International is calling on states to adopt laws, policies, and implement practices to “firmly protect themselves” against corruption and to protect defenders. “These people play a crucial role in the fight against corruption and thus in defending fundamental rights. However, they are the target of attacks, intimidation, harassment and persecution when they reveal the truth,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General

The human rights organization cited as an example the fate of Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo, kidnapped by unidentified men on 17 January, found dead five days later, his body mutilated. He was investigating and publishing information about the alleged embezzlement of hundreds of billions of CFA francs from political and business figures close to the

In Togo, journalist Ferdinand Ayité was arrested on 10 December 2021 after accusing two members of the government of corruption. On 15 March 2023, along with a colleague, he was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of three million CFA francs (4,500 euros) for “insulting representatives of the public authority” and “disseminating false information”. Both appealed the decision but had to flee the country for their safety, according to the organization.