Emeka Nweze
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense. Capital punishment has been a matter of controversy in several countries and among several humanitarian groups. Amnesty International has labeled the practice a “cruel”, “inhuman” and “degrading” punishment.
In Africa, of all 54 countries, only 22 have abolished capital punishment, the rest practice it either in absolution (ordinary crimes and special crimes) or partially in circumstances such as war crimes.
Although, for over 10 years many African countries have carried out no executions, in 2019 however, there were around 50+ executions, with Egypt leading the way with over 29 capital punishments carried out.
Unfortunately, Nigeria still practices capital punishment, and just last month, a judge in Lagos issued a death sentence via video conferencing application, Zoom.
Below are the 22 African Countries that have abolished the death penalty.
1. Angola
Year of abolition – 1992
2. Benin
Year of abolition – 2016
3. Burundi
Year of abolition – 2009
4. Burkina Faso
Year of abolition – 2018
5. Cape Varde
Year of abolition – 1981
6. Chad
Year of abolition – 2020
7. Cote d’Ivoire
Year of abolition – 2000
8. Congo
Year of abolition – 2015
9. Djibouti
Year of abolition – 1995
10. Gabon
Year of abolition – 2010
11. Guinea
Year of abolition – 2017
12. Guinea-Bissau
Year of abolition – 1993
13. Madagascar
Year of abolition – 2015
14. Mauritius
Year of abolition – 1995
15. Mozambique
Year of abolition – 1980
16. Namibia
Year of abolition – 1990
17. Rwanda
Year of abolition – 2007
18. Sao Tome and Principe
Year of abolition – 1990
19. Senegal
Year of abolition – 2000
20. Seychelles
Year of abolition – 1993
21. South Africa
Year of abolition – 1995
22. Togo
Year of abolition – 2009
