Overview

Freedom of expression was threatened, particularly through libel provisions in cybersecurity legislation, and a proposed law that could curtail press freedom. While new legislation provided greater protection of women’s and girls’ rights, it failed to criminalize female genital mutilation, and a bill to protect maternal health and reproductive rights remained pending. The government made efforts to reduce food insecurity. US cuts to foreign aid undermined the right to health. Meanwhile, more than half of Africa’s Mpox cases were concentrated in Sierra Leone, while hundreds of people died in the capital as a result of using kush, a harmful synthetic drug. Authorities took steps to respond to the effects of climate change.