The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), acting through the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (the Special Rapporteur), Commissioner Lawrence Mute, condemns the killing of Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela, an investigative journalist with Tiger Eye Private Investigations in Ghana.
The investigative journalist was shot and killed, reportedly by gunmen, on the night of Wednesday 16 January 2019 in Madina, Accra as he was driving home.
Mr. Divela had worked on several investigations, including a June 2018 documentary, ’Number 12’, in which he exposed alleged corruption in African Football.
Journalists have a right to freely inform the public on all matters in accordance with Article 9 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which provides every individual with the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law. Journalists play key roles in promoting free flow of information and ideas, in assisting people to make informed decisions and in facilitating and strengthening democracy. The Declaration on Principles of Expression in Africa of the African Commission notes that attacks such as the murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and threats to media practitioners and others exercising their right to freedom of expression undermines independent journalism, freedom of expression and the free flow of information. The Special Rapporteur notes the particular continuing value of investigative journalism.
The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government of Ghana to investigate the killing of Ahmed and bring the perpetrators to justice. The investigation should, among others, establish whether the reported revelation of Ahmed’s identity and broadcast of his photographs was a factor in his killing.
Banjul, 21 January 2019
