A new report by the international watchdog Global Witness has documented 126 killings or disappearances of land and environmental defenders in Africa since 2012, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accounting for nearly two-thirds of cases, highlighting the dangers faced by those protecting natural resources.

The "Roots of Resistance" report, released Wednesday, September 17, 2025, recorded 146 global incidents in 2024, down from 196 in 2023, averaging three per week. Senior Advisor Laura Furones noted that Africa's figures are likely underreported due to civic space repression, making it difficult for defenders to speak out. "Just because we are not recording as many cases in Africa, that does not mean it’s not dangerous for defenders," she said.

DRC ranked eighth globally as the deadliest country, with four of nine African killings in 2024 occurring there, all in Upemba National Park. Two park rangers died preventing poaching and mining, while two elephant trackers were kidnapped and found dead. Other nations included Liberia and South Africa (three each), Kenya and Uganda (six each), and Chad (five).

In Nigeria, the report spotlighted the Ekuri community in Cross River State, bordering the Cross River National Park. Indigenous Nkukorli people, winners of a UN prize for sustainable forest management, face threats from illegal logging and corporate expansion enabled by government policies. Activist Odey Oyama of the Rainforest Resource Development Centre was arrested in January 2025 by over 40 masked police officers, charged with promoting inter-communal war – punishable by life imprisonment – for opposing logging interests. Oyama called it an intimidation tactic, urging international support to expose corruption.

Ekuri Initiative Chairman Martins Egot emphasized community-led conservation's power, noting its global implications. The report calls for accountability from state-backed entities and stronger protections for defenders, whose work safeguards the planet.