As Africa navigates complex challenges in governance, environmental justice, and human rights, courts across the continent have delivered landmark rulings in 2025 that are reshaping societies and setting powerful legal precedents. From climate litigation to citizenship rights, here are five transformative decisions that have defined the year so far.
1. South Africa: Dual Citizenship Restored
In a significant victory for diaspora rights, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled on May 6 that Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act—which stripped South Africans of their citizenship upon voluntarily acquiring another nationality—was unconstitutional. The court declared that those affected are deemed to have never lost their citizenship, restoring legal status to thousands. This unanimous decision, brought by the Democratic Alliance, affirms the right to dual citizenship and strengthens the legal identity of South Africans abroad.
2. Uganda: Civilian Trials in Military Courts Ruled Unconstitutional
Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, ordering the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts. This decision was hailed by human rights activists as a critical step toward ensuring fair trials. However, President Yoweri Museveni has vowed to continue the practice, citing national security concerns, leading to tensions between the judiciary and the executive.
3. South Africa: Expropriation Act Advances Land Reform
South Africa enacted the Expropriation Act of 2025, replacing the apartheid-era 1975 law. The new legislation allows for land expropriation without compensation in specific cases, such as abandoned or unused land, aiming to address historical injustices and promote equitable access to land. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights welcomed the Act, noting its alignment with constitutional and human rights standards.
4. South Africa: Court Halts New Coal Power Projects
In a landmark environmental ruling, the Pretoria High Court declared the government’s plans to add 1,500 megawatts of new coal-fired power stations unlawful and invalid. The court found that the plans failed to adequately consider the impacts on children’s rights to a healthy environment, violating constitutional protections. This case, brought by youth-led organizations, sets a precedent for environmental and children’s rights in climate policy.
5. South Africa: Government’s Failure to Enforce Air Quality Plan Unlawful
The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the South African government’s failure to implement the Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan breached constitutional and statutory obligations. The plan, aimed at reducing industrial emissions in one of the country’s most polluted regions, had remained unenforceable for over a decade. The court’s decision underscores the state’s duty to protect citizens’ right to a healthy environment.
These rulings reflect a growing trend of judicial activism in Africa, where courts are increasingly holding governments accountable and upholding citizens’ rights. As the year progresses, these decisions will likely influence policy reforms and inspire further legal challenges aimed at promoting justice and equity across the continent.
