T his report considers the practice of ED in Africa, exploring the contexts in which it takes place, the existing international and regional legal and policy frameworks in place to prevent and respond to ED, as well as the gaps in those frameworks that prevent the eradication of ED in Africa. Justice in Libya (Libya), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (Zimbabwe), the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (Sudan), and MENA Rights Group (Algeria) – under the three-year project Combating Enforced Disappearances in Africa. The project adopts a human rights-based and victim-centred approach to challenge ED in the African continent by strengthening national and regional frameworks to combat the crime. Section 3 of the report sets out the key legal concepts and definitions referred to throughout the report. Section 4 addresses the underreporting of ED in Africa, as well as the context in which the crime takes place, focusing on trends, affected communities and recurring perpetrators. Section 5 explores the definition of ED in international law, taking into account the developments in the African human rights system, as well as from a comparative perspective. Section 6 analyses the shortcomings and progress made as part of taking steps to protect against ED at the regional level, as well as gaps, challenges and existing good practices in African States in relation to the obligations to prevent, protect, investigate and provide reparations in cases of ED. The process of preparing the report combined deskbased research with input received from REDRESS’ partners on the views and needs of victims of ED. Additionally, the conclusions of four baseline studies and policy discussions carried out by our partners in Algeria, Libya, Zimbabwe and Sudan were incorporated into the report, particularly in relation to the main legal and policy gaps to prevent and protect against the crime in Africa. While the report benefits from detailed input in relation to these four ‘focus’ countries, it draws on existing research to offer a regional overview of ED in Africa. As such, further input was obtained from various meetings and events with regional and international experts, as well as with practitioners in Africa. This report is based on research and activities carried out by REDRESS and its partners – Lawyers for 10