Citizens’ concerns about their police forces often stem from corruption, excessive use of force, unlawful arrests, selective law enforcement, and the lack of accountability within the institutions.
Police brutality in Africa
While it is hard to lay a finger on the data on police brutality, Amnesty International says that in each year between 2007 and 2012, an estimated 19,000 people were killed during ‘legal interventions’ (encounters with police) according to The Small Arms Survey.
Excessive force is among the many accusations leveled against African police forces, with critics citing media evidence of misconduct, selective law enforcement, unlawful arrests, corruption, and deadly violence.
From the EndSARS protests in Nigeria to election violence in Senegal and the disputed finance bill protests in Kenya, Africans have witnessed some of the most severe instances of police brutality in its most extreme forms.
Amnesty International’s verdict on police brutality
According to Amnesty international, under international law, police officers should only ever use lethal force as a last resort.
This means such force is strictly necessary to protect themselves or others from the imminent threat of death or serious injury, and only when other options for de-escalation are insufficient.
Africans’ experiences and assessments of the police vary significantly by country, however.
According to findings from Afrobarometer survey in 39 African countries between late 2021 and mid-2023, Africans trust key institutions and leaders less than they did a decade ago.
A summary of the report highlights a concerning decline in trust towards police among Africans, from 52% in 2011-2013, to 47% in 2021-2023.
The survey reveals the percentage of Africans who still trust a number of key institutions and this report will be looking at the trust level of Africans in their police establishments.
According to the survey, respondents from the following countries have the least trust in their police officers;
| Rank | Country | % Trust in police |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Nigeria |
15 |
|
2 |
Sierra Leone |
19 |
|
3 |
Sao Tome and Principe |
22 |
|
4 |
Eswatini |
23 |
|
5 |
Gabon |
25 |
|
6 |
Liberia |
26 |
|
7 |
Ghana |
28 |
|
8 |
Angola |
32 |
|
9 |
South Africa |
32 |
|
10 |
Kenya |
34 |
Regionally, Northern Africa had the highest trust in police, with 51% of respondents expressing confidence in their officers.
East Africa and West Africa followed closely, each with 50% trust. Southern Africa reported 42%, while Central Africa had the lowest at 37%.
Among different age groups, 43% of individuals within the ages of 18-35 exhibited trust in the police, while 53% of respondents from 56 years and above indicated a higher level of trust in the police.
On average, 46% of respondents across Africa said they trusted the police, while 53% expressed a lack of trust.
