Amani Africa welcomes the Global Solidarity Award bestowed on our Executive Director
Date | 30 March 2026
The Founding Executive Director of Amani Africa Media and Research Services, Solomon Ayele Dersso, PhD, received the Global Solidarity Award. Dr Dersso received the award at the annual award ceremony that the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Kenya held in collaboration with the European Union Mission to Kenya on 27 March 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Annual Prestigious Award was launched in 2016 by the Defenders Coalition and the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders (HRD) as a protective strategy for human rights defenders and recognition of their work.
The 10th HRD Award event that brought together human rights defenders from across the 47th counties of Kenya and representatives of the UN, representatives of diplomatic missions and civil society organisations bestowed the award in four categories: Human Rights Defender of the Year, which went to CNN’s journalist Larry Madow, Upcoming human rights defender went to Kilifi-based Damaris Aswa, Munir Mazrui Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mombasa-based Human Rights Defender-Khelef Khalifa, and the Global Solidarity Award that Amani Africa chief received.
Dr Dersso received the award for ‘exemplary leadership and solidarity with diverse human rights struggles and…passionate contributions to peace, security, and justice in Africa.’ Commenting on the recognition, Dr Dersso stated that he is grateful for being associated with ‘the ten-year HRD Award and most importantly for the opportunity to celebrate the incredible women and men of courage whose struggle keeps the fire for justice, freedom and equality burning, making Kenya a shining global example and place of refuge (for many in the region).’ He further expressed his delight in being in the company of all those honoured during the ceremony.
Amani Africa welcomes the award as an inspiring recognition that will encourage us to further enhance the contribution and impact of the work of our institution.
