East Africa: Shrinking Civic Space

A Somali girl stands next to her makeshift tent at Tawakal internally displaced persons camp in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 19, 2018. The number of internally displaced people, many living unassisted and at risk of serious abuse, reached an estimated 2.7 mil
A Somali girl stands next to her makeshift tent at Tawakal internally displaced persons camp in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 19, 2018. The number of internally displaced people, many living unassisted and at risk of serious abuse, reached an estimated 2.7 milllion in 2018.  © 2018 MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images
Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki arriving at the airport in Gondar, for a visit in Ethiopia, November 9, 2018. © 2018 EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP/Getty Images
Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki arriving at the airport in Gondar, for a visit in Ethiopia, November 9, 2018. © 2018 EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police fire teargas canisters to disperse supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition protesting against the treason charges on lawyer Miguna Miguna in the streets of Kisumu, Kenya.
Riot police fire teargas canisters to disperse supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition protesting against the treason charges on lawyer Miguna Miguna in the streets of Kisumu, Kenya February 6, 2018. © 2018 James Keyi/Reuters
Women line up for food rations at a distribution site in Bentiu, South Sudan, on December 8, 2018.
Women line up for food rations at a distribution site in Bentiu, South Sudan, on December 8, 2018. © 2018 Nyagoah Tut Pur/Human Rights Watch
Some detained politicians and journalists in the Kober national prison, just before their release on February 18, 2018.
Some detained politicians and journalists in the Kober national prison, just before their release on February 18, 2018. © 2018 Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Ugandan security forces beat then detain a protester in downtown Kampala, Uganda, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018.
Ugandan security forces beat then detain a protester in downtown Kampala, Uganda, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Ugandan police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters demanding the release of jailed lawmaker, pop star, and government critic Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, whose stage name is Bobi Wine. © 2018 Ronald Kabuubi/AP Photo
Abiy Ahmed, newly elected prime minister of Ethiopia, is sworn in at the House of Peoples' Representatives in Addis Ababa, April 2, 2018. © 2018 Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Abiy Ahmed, newly elected prime minister of Ethiopia, is sworn in at the House of Peoples' Representatives in Addis Ababa, April 2, 2018.  © 2018 Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Clear patterns of government repression against peaceful protesters, activists, and journalists emerged across the East and Horn of Africa region during 2018.