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Mozambique is rated ‘Partly Free’ in Freedom in the World 2024 report
2:48 CAT | 29 Feb 2024
Image: Freedom House
Mozambique is considered a ‘Partly Free’ country, according to a report released this Thursday by Freedom House, with the country slipping from 45 to 44 in the ‘Freedom in the World’ report, launched today.
Cape Verde, in first, and São Tomé and Príncipe, in third, are at the top the highest ranked countries in Africa in terms of respect for political rights and civil liberties, with Angola appearing as ‘Not Free’ in the report.
Mauritius is the second highest ranked country in Africa, according to the 51st annual edition of the ‘Freedom in the World’ report, launched today by the Washington-based think tank which, in the case of the African continent, highlights the decline of freedom for the 10th consecutive year.
“Freedom in Africa declined for the 10th consecutive year in 2023, driven by armed conflict, military coups, and electoral irregularities,” Freedom House says. “Overall, freedom in the region declined as 14 countries received score declines and 5 recorded improvements.”
Niger had the sharpest score drop (-18 points) in Africa, after military forces ousted the elected government. and Liberia experienced the biggest score improvement (+4 points) in the continent.
Cabo Verde (92), Mauritius (85), São Tomé and Príncipe (84), Ghana (80), South Africa (79), and Seychelles (79) are the region’s highest-rated countries.
The report gives scores (0 to 100) and includes detailed national reports on political rights and civil liberties for 195 countries and 15 territories around the world.
Regarding Portuguese-speaking African countries, Angola and Equatorial Guinea are classified as ‘Not Free’, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique as ‘Partly Free’ and Cape Verde (92) and São Tomé and Príncipe (84) as ‘Free’.
South Sudan (1), Eritrea (3), Equatorial Guinea (5) and the Central African Republic (5) are the lowest-rated countries in the African continent.
Neighbouring countries Zimbabwe (ranked 27) , Eswatini (17) are considered ‘Not Free’, as are Rwanda (23), DR Congo (19), Uganda (34) and Burundi (14) .
Zambia (54), Malawi (66), Tanzania (39), Madagascar (58), Comoros (42) and Kenya (52) are considered ‘Partly Free’.
Only seven percent of people in Africa live in ‘Free’ countries, while 50% live in ‘Not Free’ countries, according to Freedom House.
READ: Global freedom drops sharply in 2023, study says
The report identifies a number of steps that democratic governments can take to protect and expand political rights and civil liberties around the globe. The recommendations include:
- Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny. Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories. The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.Protect free and fair elections in 2024. At least 40 countries—representing more than two-fifths of the world’s population—are holding national-level elections in 2024, with many more conducting other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
View the report’s complete recommendations here.
Link to Freedom House on Africa: https://freedomhouse.org/article/new-report-africa-marks-decade-decline-freedom-2023-being-marred-electoral-violence-and
Freedom House’s Freedom in the World Interactive Map: https://freedomhouse.org/explore-the-map?type=fiw&year=2024
Source: Lusa / Freedom House
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