PLACE
Who we are
PLACE is an African network of Civil Society Organisations committed to confronting organized crime and corruption through nonviolent, democratic, and community-based actions. It represents a vibrant space of collaboration across borders, generations, and disciplines.
It was launched in 2023 in Grand Bassam with the vision to amplify the work of African civil society actors who have long been engaged in defending human rights, promoting social justice, and building resilient communities.
PLACE is promoted by Libera Associazioni, nomi e numeri contro le mafie, and is part of a global network of action that also includes CHANCE in Europe and ALAS in Latin America.
Jos Samba Kande
LUCHA Activist, Unit Trainer and Recruit Supervisor
Democratic Republic of the Congo
LUCHA is a citizen movement born from a collective refusal to accept resignation and injustice. Jos trains and monitors new activists in nonviolent resistance, ethics, truth, and solidarity to promote active, conscious, and constructive citizenship. He documents human rights violations and spearheads public governance and youth campaigns. He believes that lasting change can only come from an informed and organised population determined to take control of its own destiny. He identifies with PLACE because it amplifies field reports internationally, connects with defenders, and provides strategic human rights resources.
Malundama Rachidi ‘Rach Pape Résistant’
Filimbi RDC National Coordinator of Finance and Activist
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Filimbi RDC Citizen Movement works within the framework of preserving democratic gains and promoting, defending and protecting human rights and the environment. The organisation also fights corruption and promotes citizen oversight, civic education and lifelong learning, as well as mentoring young people. Rach Pape Résistant is a pro-democracy activist and defender of human rights, and a key player in the fight against corruption. He identifies with PLACE because it is a network that allows to share the democratic values and peaceful struggle for a just and united world, free of corruption, poor governance, crime and mafia activities, with other actors in Africa and elsewhere.
Martin Mawuena Tornyesinu
WCYA Executive Director
Ghana
The Welfare of Children and Youth Association is a non-profit, community-based organisation that seeks to promote children’s rights, empower young people, and develop communities. Operating in both rural and urban communities in Ghana, it cooperates with 170 associations and 513 grassroots groups. The organisation aims to develop the leadership skills of young people at a local level, enabling them to lead their communities and implement activities that address the difficulties faced by children and young people. Martin organises training and capacity-building workshops to empower members on issues such as migration, gender-based violence, the referral of victims of trafficking, hygiene, early marriage and disease prevention. He identifies with PLACE because of its commitment to localised leadership and collaborative advocacy. He believes that, by sharing Ghanaian perspectives and cross-border insights, it is possible to better address the systemic barriers facing the next generation. PLACE provides a platform to turn local successes into global solutions.
Yves Roland Houeto
AEJT-CI National Coordinator
Ivory Coast
The Association of Working Children and Youth of the Ivory Coast defends and protects children’s rights by providing economic support and supervision. Yves Roland represents the organisation before the administration, seeking and signing collaboration agreements with partners and donors. He coordinates the activities of the 25 member cities at the national level and promotes the organisation and its activities. He is a founding member of PLACE. Indeed, there is an agreement between AEJT-CI and PLACE regarding the action to be taken.
Edwige Brin Akoua
COVICI Project Coordinator and Manager
Ivory Coast
The Confederation of Organisations of Victims of the Ivorian Crises is a group of victims’ associations whose mission is to claim and defend their rights to compensation. Brin coordinates the activities and oversees projects. Like PLACE, she campaigns on behalf of victims of political crises and torture. Her actions are aimed at restorative justice and at regaining dignity.
Joseph Ong’injo Achieng
MCADO Founder and Director
Kenya
The Mathare Community Anti-Drugs and Disability Rights Organization is a community-based organisation dedicated to addressing drug and substance abuse while promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. As an activist and human rights defender, Joseph provides strategic leadership and grassroots direction, as well as designing and implementing drug prevention campaigns, disability inclusion initiatives and community empowerment programmes. His work involves community mobilisation, advocacy, raising awareness, and providing human rights education, while strengthening partnerships with local organisations and stakeholders. He identifies with PLACE’s mission and strategic objectives, which are to advance peacebuilding, human rights and community empowerment.
Jecinter Agunja
CGHRD Administrative Officer
Kenya
The Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders is a social movement that protects and empowers grassroots human rights defenders in Kenya, advocating on their behalf. Through community-based organising, it addresses gross human rights violations, fights femicide, defends land and food sovereignty, and supports women’s rights. The coalition aims to amplify the voices of GHRDs in combating violations, with a particular focus on issues such as femicide, gender justice, land rights, and environmental concerns. Jecinter coordinates End Femicide, a movement of activists, feminists, and women human rights defenders working to curb the intentional killing of women. Jecinter identifies with PLACE because it is a group of organisations that work together to fight injustices around the world.
Linus Omondi
KVSO International Programme Coordinator
Kenya
The Kenya Voluntary Service Organisation works in the areas of volunteering, culture, wildlife preservation, and social issues, including drug abuse prevention, crime prevention, correctional behaviour, mafia and gang-related issues, and environmental conservation, among others. KVSO identifies with PLACE due to their shared advocacy for human rights. When it comes to crime and mafia-like groups that create disorder and disharmony in society, the PLACE network fights back, as does KVSO.
Kenwilliams Mhango
ANPPCAN-Malawi Chapter Director
Malawi
The African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect is a pan-African organisation that protects women, young people, and children from abuse. Kenwilliams leads campaigns against child marriage, violence and discrimination, and defends vulnerable communities. Despite facing arrest, he organised Malawi’s pro-democracy demonstrations and monitored Zimbabwe’s elections. He identifies with PLACE because advancing human rights requires international networks of solidarity that share resources and amplify voices against injustice through collective action.
Kehinde Moses Gbethozin
MAEJT Nigeria Monitoring and Evaluation Director
Nigeria
The African Movement of Working Children and Youth works with children and young people operating in 28 countries across the continent. Kehinde Moses monitors and evaluates the organisation’s activities across the country, collecting and analysing data on its operations. He identifies with PLACE’s aim of creating a suitable atmosphere for African people through the efforts of other organisations and international communities.
Ezenwa Okoro
SPF Program Director
Nigeria
The Street Project Foundation uses creative arts as a tool to facilitate youth development, social mobilisation and cross-cultural dialogue. Ezenwa administers the day-to-day activities and coordinates with development partners. He identifies with PLACE’s objectives, such as the quest for social justice, advocacy for human rights, and the fight against corruption.
James Edimond Boboya
ISPR Chief Executive Officer
South Sudan
The Institute of Social Policy and Research is an NGO dedicated to promoting sustainable peace, advancing human rights, and fostering economic justice across South Sudan. It conducts research and policy analysis and runs community-based programmes to address the root causes of conflict, inequality and social injustice. Through advocacy, capacity building and stakeholder engagement, the Institute collaborates closely with local communities, civil society organisations, government institutions and international partners to strengthen democratic governance, promote inclusive development and support peaceful coexistence. The Institute’s mission is to contribute to a just, stable and prosperous South Sudan, where all citizens can live with dignity and equal opportunity. James identifies with PLACE because its values and objectives closely align with his mission to promote economic justice and peace.
Pius Matunge
TEG Director and Curator
Tanzania
The purpose of Tengeneza Generation is to transform the lives of young people in communities adjacent to nature reserves by providing integrated programmes that build sustainable livelihoods and promote education and active environmental conservation. Pius establishes and maintains partnerships, managing a team of six staff members who implement programmes aimed at elevating communities out of poverty through entrepreneurship, supporting children’s health in schools — especially those living near forest reserves — and restoring lost biodiversity. He is committed to amplifying the voices of those most affected by organised crime through PLACE.
Stella Akiteng Latim
Director Intercultural Development Agency
Uganda
The Intercultural Development Agency (IDA) is a Ugandan non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation that promotes sustainable development, food security, child protection, and youth employment. The Director, Stella, supports community education, research and rural development initiatives. She identifies with PLACE because she and the network are both committed to justice, collaboration and intercultural dialogue.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakiteng/
Richard Kachungu
YEFI Executive Director
Zambia
The Young Emerging Farmers Initiative empowers young and indigenous farmers in Zambia and the region through agroecology, advocacy, and market linkages, building resilient, just, and sustainable food systems. As the Executive Director of YEFI, Richard identifies with PLACE because he believes that peace and liberation in Africa are rooted in food sovereignty: communities controlling land, seeds, knowledge, and food systems with dignity, justice, and ecological balance.
Our Values
PLACE believes in the power of memory, justice, and collective responsibility. Our actions are rooted in community knowledge and in the refusal to normalize injustice. We fight all forms of exploitation — whether human, environmental, or institutional — with tools of peace, education, and solidarity.
We build on local experience to promote continental change, joining forces with those who, every day, resist criminal governance with courage and vision.