Over the past months, the judiciary has received quite a number of challenges before it challenging laws perceived to be a hindrance to the establishment of civic space within the country, with respect to acts being proposed for amendments such as  the Public Order Act, and the recently enacted Cybercrime Act. As a result of the current climate, the judiciary has become an increasingly important guardian of rights against the misuse of broad or vague statutory language that could pose a threat to participation in democratic processes and activism.

This event is part of an ongoing pattern related to the phased implementation of the PBO Act, which replaced the NGO Coordination Act starting May 2024. The extension reflects persistent challenges among NGOs in meeting the new, more rigorous compliance requirements, indicating a sector-wide adjustment period rather than an isolated incident. Since the Act’s commencement, there have been repeated calls for capacity building, regulatory clarity, and stakeholder engagement to facilitate smooth transition and compliance. The harmonization of draft regulations and planned public participation forums further illustrate this ongoing process.