Three African nations—Gambia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe—are on the verge of abolishing the death penalty, representing a significant potential shift toward ending capital punishment in the region. Amnesty International has urged these countries to act promptly, highlighting that their decision could pave the way for similar reforms globally.
Amnesty International reports that there have been no executions in these nations for over a decade, during which time numerous death sentences have been commuted. Lucia Masuka, the head of Amnesty International in Zimbabwe, emphasized the growing global movement away from the death penalty and strongly urged African nations to follow suit. She noted that the time has come for countries to abandon what she described as a cruel and inhumane punishment.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa brings a unique perspective to the issue, having faced a death sentence in his youth for his involvement in the country’s liberation struggle. He narrowly escaped execution and ultimately served a 10-year prison term. Since assuming the presidency, Mnangagwa has reiterated his commitment to abolishing the death penalty in Zimbabwe, recently calling on Parliament to expedite the passage of necessary legislation.
There appears to be considerable support for this reform within Zimbabwe’s Parliament. Opposition lawmaker Casten Matewu expressed optimism that the abolition bill would pass smoothly by December, noting the strong bipartisan support for the initiative. However, not all opinions align with this view. Lawyer Zachariah Choga voiced his concerns, arguing that the death penalty serves as a deterrent against violent crime. He referenced the rise in such crimes in South Africa following the abolition of capital punishment in 1994, suggesting that fear of the ultimate punishment can dissuade individuals from committing serious offenses.
Amnesty International counters this perspective, arguing that the death penalty does not effectively reduce crime rates and is a violation of the fundamental right to life. The organization pointed out that 24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while two have done so for ordinary offenses only. In Zimbabwe, while the last execution occurred in 2005, death sentences continue to be issued, albeit many have been commuted to life imprisonment under a recent amnesty declared by Mnangagwa. The ongoing discussions surrounding the abolition of the death penalty in these countries mark a critical juncture in the broader movement toward human rights reform in Africa.
