Introduction
A wave of protests has been sweeping across Africa in recent months from Senegal to other countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Gabon, Chad, Burundi, and beyond. Thousands of people, especially young individuals, are taking to the streets, using social media to call for democratic accountability in governments. Although protests differ in their roots and characteristics, they all reflect a growing crisis of the legitimacy of African governments and a sense of disillusionment with unfulfilled promises of democracy itself, the enrichment of political elites, and the erosion of democratic institutions (1). This paper highlights the major causes of street protests in Africa and analyzes their effects on Africa’s democratic ecosystem. The paper provides policy recommendations following this analysis on how best to address the street protests in Africa. While the focus is on the African continent, the 2020 protests in the United States of America and the recent protests in Bangladesh and Venezuela serve as reminders that protest movements are a worldwide phenomenon.
Causes of Street Protests in Africa
The recent protests across Africa are raising concerns among some experts on the likely impact of these protests on the political stability of countries, especially fragile states (2). Looking at Senegal, Kenya, and most recently Nigeria, one will have the impression that protests are becoming the “lone or critical language” our political leaders tend to listen to. The democratic ecosystem within the African continent is under attack, and one is tempted to ask if street protests are the solution. Most African leaders have been brought to their knees through protest; some have resigned while others make tough decisions like reshuffling their entire cabinet, which has happened in Kenya and Nigeria. The question worth exploring is: How effective are street protests in creating democratic change in Africa?
The rights of free movement, assembly, and peaceful protests are fundamental and have been guaranteed in the constitutions of most African countries. African citizens have continued to utilize this strategy to demand accountability from their governments(3). While some have utilized protests to express opposition to their governments, others have used protests to urge their governments to take specific policy actions.
As is typical, certain protests resulted in conflicts with security forces while others went without incidents. The protest in Kenya saw wide violations of human rights and gross destruction, while in Nigeria the president instructed the police to stand down. Africa has experienced significant anti-government demonstrations in recent months. For example, protests swept across the continent in February and March 2024 (4). At the center of these protests were issues of electoral injustice, rising living costs, and a shrinking democratic space in countries like Senegal, Kenya and Nigeria. While these demonstrations are typically sparked by various causes, many are driven by a collective dissatisfaction with the state of leadership in these nations. Some common causes of street protests across Africa are:
Food Insecurity: In the first half of 2023, protests in South Sudan centered on inadequate food supplies and high living expenses. These demonstrations, often observed among those displaced within South Sudan, mainly focused on the insufficient aid provided by government agencies for food and essential items (6). Furthermore, protests of a similar nature are also growing more frequent in DR Congo. Protesters in Goma, Nord-Kivu province blocked roads in March 2023, demanding access to food and condemning the deaths of 10 people from starvation at an IDP camp.
Governance Issues: While problems like inflation, unemployment, and crumbling public infrastructure are common throughout Africa, unrest is more likely in nations where governments are unable to address these issues. Kenya is experiencing a flurry of protests (7). The movement has developed into a broader campaign for more accountable government in the nation, sparked by contentious tax hike proposals. Some protesters are calling for the resignation of the entire government. We have observed a similar situation in Nigeria, which has trended under the online tag #EndBadGovernance (8). The place of social media in most of these protests is very instrumental. The hashtag used in Nigeria, and even South Africa and Kenya, brought together not just protesters within the national territory but the entire international community. Kenyans and Nigerians abroad are joining the protests through various social media like X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok.
Elections: Many African countries have held presidential and legislative elections this year, with more scheduled in the coming months. Widespread political instability and doubts about the management of electoral processes could spark a wave of protests across the continent (9). We have seen this before in Nigeria. The victory of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, in the February 2023 presidential election created discontent within the country’s political system, prompting opposition supporters to protest and demand a new vote amid reports of voter intimidation and vote-counting irregularities. Another potential flashpoint is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where President Tshisekedi is likely to postpone the December 2024 general election due to concerns about the resurgence of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group (10). The delay risks triggering a new wave of nationwide protests, similar to the wave of unrest that followed a delay in the 2018 elections (11). Attempts to delay and postpone elections in Senegal also gave birth to street protests, causing the administration to give in.
The Effect of Street Protests on the Democratic Ecosystem in Africa
Demonstrations on the streets differ from peaceful marches. A demonstration naturally occupies public areas to raise awareness for a cause, triggering inevitable discomfort for targeted individuals (12). Other civilians experience hindrances in their lives and businesses; children may be forced to skip school days; and public officials may find themselves in a difficult situation. The objective of almost every protest is to attract attention, making any kind of media attention a victory for the protesters and a cause of concern for government officials who usually try to suppress the protests (13). Street demonstrations also heighten the awareness of law enforcement agencies that have not fully grasped many strategies for calming down tense situations. Is there any possibility of positive outcomes resulting from a series of organized efforts intended to cause unease? Yes, if handled correctly. Street demonstrations should include a defined list of clear requests presented to government officials by protest representatives or supporters. While peaceful street protests should always be respected as a basic constitutional right of citizens, it is imperative to also note that there are other effective strategies such as negotiations to achieve favorable outcomes (14). The results of protests in Kenya brought about strategic reforms, similar to that of Senegal with the former President giving in to pressure and allowing political prisoners to run for elections. The situation was the same in Chad as opposition leaders like Suces were brought back into the country and made Vice President before the elections. Planned protests in Nigeria on August 1, 2024, forced President Tinubu to make certain decisions geared toward addressing issues of bad governance, even though the protest still went ahead as planned.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Protests are one of the most common manifestations of modern political strategy. The wave of protests that marked the beginning of the Arab Spring contributed to a surge in protest activities around the world (15). Protesting has emerged as a prevalent and widely accepted form of civic engagement within many societies, including African democratic societies. Given its significance in modern political discourse, critical inquiries pursued by sociologists and political scientists tend to center around the timing, motivations, and methods of individual participation in protests (17). The author argues that protest functions as a driving force for change through three main mechanisms: signaling, community empowerment, and the creation of threats to those in authority.
Firstly, protests bring attention to the urgency of particular issues, thereby increasing public consciousness of these concerns as social problems that require resolution. Secondly, protests empower individuals within marginalized communities, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity. Together, these effects heighten the stakes for those in power, urging them to address urgent issues. The author observes that because protest threatens to elevate the political and material costs for elites, it enhances the likelihood that they will concede to the demands of protesters. Additionally, protest movements tend to elevate the visibility and acknowledgment of the demands made by protesters, further increasing these costs. This suggests that concessions from elites in response to protester demands are more probable during periods of heightened protest activity.
The researcher makes the following recommendations: political actors need to address the grievances of citizens by establishing mechanisms for citizens to report grievances and ensure timely responses. Inclusive governance fosters participatory governance, engaging citizens in decision-making processes. Economic empowerment by implementing policies promoting economic growth, job creation, and social welfare are essential. Security sector reform to ensure that security forces are trained to manage protests peacefully is also important. Human rights protection is paramount to enhance freedom of assembly and expression, as is youth engagement and innovative policies to help address concerns of the youth, such as unemployment and education. Another recommendation is the existence of decentralization policy initiatives to empower local governments to address local issues. Political leaders need to also ensure transparency and accountability in governance by tackling corruption and mismanagement. These recommendations require a comprehensive approach and strong political will from African leaders and governments to help address the underlying issues that have been driving protests across Africa in recent years.
Dr. Pippie Hugues
Dr. Pippie Hugues is a Policy Analyst at the Governance and Democracy Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in International Law with specialty in Human Rights, Conflict and Peace building.
