A wave of youth and student-led protests have swept across the African continent the last year; from Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique to Senegal, Togo and Comoros. At the same time, the state of civic space is deteriorating globally and the same is true for many African countries. Student activists and other human rights defenders who try to hold their governments accountable and demand that human rights are respected, face huge risks. In many African countries we are also seeing a proliferation of restrictive legislation used to stifle fundamental freedoms.

This trend is not something new. Students have always been one of the first to take to the streets when justice, equality and human rights are on the line. In response, students and academia are common targets for authoritarian leaders. According to SAIHs Activism under Attack 2024, student activists across the globe see delegitimization, social pressure and university lawfare as the biggest barriers to doing activism, in addition to more brutal forms of repression.

So what does student activism on the African continent look like? What types of repression are young human rights defenders facing? Why are we seeing so many protests in African countries now? Some are predicting an "African spring" with protests spilling over to neighboring countries. Is this likely? What are African activists risking while trying to better the situation in their countries? How is civil society pushing back against autocratic regimes and can activists in different countries learn from each other? Which role can Norwegian civil society and the government play? And what is the way forward?

Den Rwanda-støttede væpnede gruppen M23 har tatt kontroll over store områder i den mineralrike østlige delen av Den demokratiske republikken Kongo. Offensiven har kostet titusenvis av liv og fordrevet et stort antall mennesker. Hva er det som skjer i DR Kongo nå og hvem er de ulike aktørene involvert? Hvilken rolle spiller tilgangen på naturressurser som landområder og viktige mineraler?

Selv om vi har hørt lite om situasjonen i DR Kongo før M23 tok kontroll over Goma, så er ikke krisen i DR Kongo noe nytt. Situasjonen i landet har vært svært alvorlig i mer enn to tiår, preget av ekstrem vold, angrep fra væpnede grupper og masseflukt. Hvordan er den humanitære situasjonen for befolkningen? Hvordan er situasjonen for kvinner og barn? Og hvilken rolle kan og bør East African Community, African Union, FN og resten av verdenssamfunnet spille?

30 years ago - in 1994, the first mixed-race election in South Africa's history was held. The African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela, won in a landslide. Since then, the ANC has continued to win the elections, and has remained the ruling party in South Africa. In May this year, the dissatisfaction over lack of progress led to the ANC for the first time ever receiving less than 50% of the votes.

Did ANC keep their promises, and has South Africa become the inclusive and rainbow coloured society people were sold in 1994?

Join us for a discussion on Africa’s critical role in the fight against climate change!

Although Africa is not a driver of the climate crisis, it bears a huge burden of the consequences. Simultaneously, Africa's wealth of natural resources, expansive forests, and abundant renewable energy potential, position Africa as a vital player in the fight against climate change.

New strategies to achieve “net zero” emissions are emerging rapidly. Many of these strategies involve compensating for emissions through various carbon offset schemes, often implemented in “the global South” by “the West.” However, these projects have raised concerns about land grabbing, damage, and displacement of local communities. Africa now stands at the forefront of this movement.

This seminar will build on two case studies from South-Eastern Africa and Western Sahara to demonstrate practices in land conservation and renewable energy projects. These cases will help unpack key equity issues within the political economy of climate change.

Following the case presentations, a panel discussion will provide insights into carbon markets and credit schemes, highlighting relevant green investments and initiatives in Africa, and how Norway plays a role in global climate finance and renewable energy initiatives. The discussion will explore both the opportunities and challenges these movements present for the continent.

Are carbon schemes viable policies toward achieving “net zero”? Or a new form of colonialism? What specific opportunities do carbon markets offer Africa in the fight against climate change?

With Ian Bryceson, Professor in International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric (NMBU), Erik Hagen, Director of The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara, Girum Zeleke, Associate Professor in Civics at VID Specialized University and Asbjørn Torvanger from CICERO. Moderated by Erika Wie Dia from the Norwegian Council for Africa.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa. King Mswati has ruled the country since 1986 and has been greatly criticized for closing the democratic space through banning political parties, crushing opposition and excessive state violence. As political parties are banned, people can only contest for parliament seats as individuals. The parliament only exists to play an advisory role.

Human rights defenders and opposition politicians have been leading voices in speaking out against the rise of authoritarianism in the country, making them the primary targets of repression and harassment. Last year human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was shot dead in his home in front of his wife and children for speaking out about Eswatini's repressive laws and state violence. No one has been held responsible.

What is the way forward for Eswatini? How can unions, human rights defenders and the opposition mobilize for change? What role should South Africa and SADC play and what responsibility does the international community have? And how can activists and human rights defenders in and out of the country be included in strategic platforms both at a regional and international level?

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in the process of developing a new Norwegian strategy for Africa. Africa, with its 55 states, is developing fast and the changing geopolitical situation in the world is also an important backdrop. Many countries in the world are now intensifying their diplomatic ties with African countries.

For the last decade the African continent has seen economic growth, population growth, demand for rare mineral resources and climate change. African countries are both experiencing great possibilities and challenges. What does this mean for Norway's partnership with African countries and what should we prioritize the coming years?

What are the most important goals a new Africa strategy should contain? How do Norway ensure that the strategy considers the different historic and political context of each country and promote African states' own agency and development on their terms? And what role could and should the African diaspora in Norway play in this process and in developing foreign and development policies in general?

The Niger Delta in Nigeria has endured extensive environmental degradation due to decades of oil exploration activities. One of the major companies to have operated in the region is Shell. Communities in the Niger Delta have faced pollution, loss of livelihoods and health crises and Shell's operation in the country have been mired in some of the most serious human rights violations and ecological pollution.

Their plan now is to divest from onshore operations, seemingly an attempt to absolve them of their responsibility for decades of environmental degradation and community disenfranchisement.

Shell is not operating in a vacuum. Many of the big oil companies (including Equinor) are divesting from high emission areas.

What responsibilities do oil companies have for the damages they have caused in the local communities? What are the dilemmas regarding divestment strategies and how can civil society and environmental organizations tackle this? And how can we ensure empowerment of indigenous capital in fossil extraction?

Human rights violations against East African migrant workers in the Gulf States have prompted growing concern. Human Rights Watch recently reported a tragic incident where hundreds of Ethiopians lost their lives while attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia. The pervasive Kafala system, binding workers to their employers, further exacerbates the challenges faced by migrant workers in the region.

In this panel discussion, our primary goal is to illuminate the gravity of human rights violations faced by migrant workers from East African nations in the Gulf States. This specific group has endured prolonged mistreatment in the region. The advent of social media and increased awareness has empowered these migrant workers to share their harrowing experiences by posting pictures and videos depicting their difficult conditions in the Gulf States. Join us as we explore these critical issues, delving into the challenges faced by East African migrant workers in the Gulf States and how they can be resolved.

Michelle Bachelet, former UN high commissioner for human rights, said: "young people are always at the forefront of crisis - and fighting for a better future." This is also true in African countries, where young activists have led big movements such as #EndSARS and Fridays for Future.

Come join us in celebrating five young human rights defenders working on climate, debt issues and student activism. Why did they become activists in the first place, what have they learned from their engagement and what are their biggest wins?

In August Zimbabwe headed to the polls again and on the 26th of August the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced that Emmerson Mnangagwa had been re-elected after gaining a majority of votes. The opposition 'Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)' refused this victory, stating instead that they, with leader Nelson Chamisa, had won. The opposition also accused ZANU-PF of rigging and voter suppression.

What has happened in the country since Mugabe was forced to resign? Were the elections free and fair? How has the opposition been treated during and after the elections? What is happening with the economic situation in the country that was a major concern for many before the elections? Does Nelson Chamisa have what it takes to unite the opposition or has he outplayed his role as leader? What is life like for ordinary Zimbabweans today?