The International Press Institute (IPI) recorded nearly 100 cases of threats and attacks on journalists (82 male and 18 female) across 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa between April and June 2026. Physical and verbal attacks, as well as arrests and detention, were the most frequent types of incidents. An Ethiopian journalist in exile was found dead in Kenya under suspicious circumstances.
Police and state security forces (55%) continued to be the primary perpetrators of attacks and threats against journalists, a trend that continues from the previous quarter. However, attacks by community members rose during this period, accounting for 11% of cases, with the majority of incidents linked to anti-immigration protests in South Africa. More broadly, Somalia continued to record the highest number of violations, followed by South Africa, Kenya and Uganda.
Ethiopian journalist Yacob Yatane, who was in exile in Kenya, was in April in Nairobi under suspicious circumstances. According to media , Yatane had expressed concerns about his safety and had filed reports with the National Police Service as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Yatane reported that he was being threatened and followed by Amharic-speaking individuals suspected to be Ethiopian nationals. In April, indicated that the police investigation was still ongoing; there has been no further official update since that time. IPI calls on the authorities in Kenya to conduct a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation and provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding his death.
IPI’s monitoring of press freedom violations during this period identified the coverage of protests and government and political affairs as some of the contexts in which journalists faced heightened risks across the region. Authorities also continue to weaponise existing laws to target journalists.
Coverage of protests and social unrest
IPI documented 30 incidents in which journalists covering protests and social unrest faced physical attacks, online harassment, and threats.
- In South Africa, supporters of anti-immigration campaigns carried out reporting on anti-immigration protests. On June 30, anti-immigration protesters in Yeoville, Johannesburg, community members. Getty Images photographer and Agence France-Presse鈥檚 Saamwiet Moos also came under , for their reporting on the anti-immigration protests.
Journalists targeted for critical reporting on government and political affairs
More than 40 journalists reporting on government and political affairs faced attacks and intimidation. Perpetrators included prominent political figures, public officials, state security forces, and political-party supporters.
- In Kenya, President William Ruto the Standard Media Group following a series of television programmes and newspaper reports critical of his administration, including their programme called “The Gallery of Ruto鈥檚 Lies”. On June 24, Ruto attacked the media group in a post on X, accusing it of running 鈥渆xtortionist propaganda鈥� and pressuring his administration into making concessions. The incident adds to concerns about growing political hostility towards independent media, particularly ahead of the Kenyan 2027 general elections.
Abuse of laws and litigation to suppress critical journalism
Cybercrime laws and other restrictive legislation continued to be used to silence journalists and undermine press freedom. IPI recorded five incidents of legal harassment during the reporting period, including cases involving defamation and national security laws.
- In Mali, authorities two journalists: Chahana Takiou of 22 Septembre newspaper, and Abdrahamane Ke茂ta of T茅moins. Takiou was charged with ”undermining the credibility of the state through the judicial institution” under cybercrime provisions in the country’s . Absurdly, Takiou was arrested and charged after criticising the use of cybercrime provisions to undermine press freedom during a panel discussion at the Pan-African Media Forum in Bamako in June. Keita was also with undermining national unity under the penal code, specifically following his comments on the popular TV program 鈥淕rand Jury,鈥� where he discussed the security situation in northern Mali.
Environmental journalists under pressure
IPI also documented 15 incidents of attacks against climate and environmental journalists during this period.
- In Mozambique, investigative journalist Est谩cio Valoi, editor of the online news portal Moz24h, continues to face escalating threats and attacks, including criminal proceedings linked to his reporting on alleged illegal export of timber. On June 16, from his home in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province. According to media , in December 2025, the company in question, Safi Timber, sent threatening emails to Valoi, demanding that he remove his publication and that failure to do so would result in legal action.