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This report highlights the impact of criminal, security and other exceptional laws and policies that are deemed discriminatory, exclusionary, and incompatible with international human rights standards in select Francophone and Lusophone African countries, notably, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique. The countries were chosen due to their distinct legal traditions, each shaped by different colonial legacies, which adds depth to the comparative analysis. In each country, archaic laws remain embedded within their Penal Codes, many of which have little relevance in today’s context. In addition, newer laws have been introduced and are actively enforced by local and national governments, often with a discriminatory impact particularly on marginalised groups. In addition to examining criminal, security, and exceptional laws, the country reports also explore the historical and political context, constitutional and legislative reforms over the past 25 years, the broader legal framework, relevant regional and international human rights instruments, and the roles of oversight and monitoring bodies.

From groundbreaking research and landmark lectures to advancing human rights, local governance, and socio-economic justice – 2024 was a year of impact and innovation.

Prof Jaap de Visser, South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Development at the Dullah Omar Institute, the University of the Western Cape, unpacks a bold proposal for a participatory budget ballot – letting voters choose service priorities like water, clinics & roads. Could it deepen local democracy?

The Dullah Omar Institute and the Faculty of Law at the University of the Western Cape, in collaboration with the Omar Family, are pleased to announce the 15th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture, an event that celebrates the life and legacy of the late Dullah Omar, a champion of human rights and democracy in South Africa.

The following articles are available in this issue:

This one-year Masters Course equips students to understand how South African provinces and local government work, how the multilevel system of government compares to other countries on the continent and on what global theories and practices it is based.

Attention municipal practitioners and scholars across Africa: The African School on Decentralisation has extended its application deadline to 13 June 2025.

The Socio-Economic Rights Project at the Dullah Omar Institute hosted a webinar to raise awareness and foster dialogue on the pressing issue of obstetric violence (OV) in Africa. Drawing from extensive research and cross-country experiences, the event aimed to unpack the definitions, manifestations, and structural drivers of OV, situate it within applicable human rights frameworks, and reflect on the use of litigation as a strategy for accountability and change. The webinar also sought to generate recommendations for advancing respectful maternity care and strengthening legal and institutional responses across the continent.