THE FRONTLINE FOR

FREEDOM IN AFRICA

A new era of authoritarianism is rising. A new generation of defiance is rising to meet it. Defiance Against Dictatorship (DAD) is the pan-African shield for movements on the ground, fighting for a democratic future.

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HOW TO ACT?

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DEMOCRACY IS UNDER SIEGE

Across Africa, a sophisticated playbook of repression is being shared and deployed by autocrats. This is more than brute force. It's a calculated assault on freedom itself, waged through:

WEAPONIZED LAWS

Hollowing out constitutions and drafting repressive legislation to create a legal veneer for tyranny.

STATE CAPTURE

Entangling state institutions with kleptocratic networks to systematically loot public resources and destroy accountability.

DIGITAL REPRESSION

Deploying spyware, disinformation, and online harassment to silence dissent and control the narrative.

SHRINKING CIVIC SPACE

Systematically suffocating independent organizations to isolate and crush opposition.

When democracy erodes in one nation, the shadows lengthen for all. This is not a distant battle; it is a fight for the future of every community.

UNDERSTAND THE THREAT

A NEW

ARCHITECTURE FOR RESISTANCE

Isolated struggles can be crushed. An interconnected movement cannot. DAD counters the autocrat's playbook with a unified strategy, Cintegrating action on three critical levels to build compounding pressure for change.

Empower the Frontlines

We provide direct strategic support, training, and resources to the activists and civil society organizations who are the heart of democratic change. We don't lead; we empower.

Deploy Elite Expertise

We level the playing field by connecting movements with the specialized tools they need to win—from advanced election monitoring and strategic legal challenges to digital forensics and security.

Amplify with Global Solidarity

We ensure no fight for freedom happens in the dark. We connect local struggles to a powerful network of regional and international solidarity, raising the costs of repression and protecting those on the ground.

SEE HOW WE WORK

DISPATCHES

FROM THE FRONTLINES

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Defending Zimbabwe's Constitution

Our work began not in a boardroom, but in an active struggle. In Zimbabwe, we are supporting a citizen-led petition to push back against constitutional amendments designed to entrench dictatorship. This campaign embodies our mission: citizen-led, non-violent, and resolute.

SIGN THE PETITION

No Reforms, No Election: A Unified Stand in Tanzania

In Tanzania, We're actively supporting a courageous coalition, including the Centre for Strategic Litigation (SCL) and other civil society partners, to challenge an electoral process being undermined by state repression. Facing a brutal crackdown involving abductions and the persecution of opposing voices, our partners are demanding "No Reforms, No Election" to avoid legitimizing a sham vote.