The widespread of protests in Africa had long been coming- an inevitable revolt flowing from the angle of lack opportunity for youth, high level of unemployment, dimmed hope and lack of leadership. Protesters who are predominantly youth are leading the voice for change, they are eager to see governance thrive in favour of ordinary citizens as opposed to massive looting of public treasury which has marred and stalled development in Africa. Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria have protested this year on different number of issues but striking similarities are poorly executed agenda, non-masses centred policies and the problem still remain leadership. Protests are gaining ground as a tool to fight bad government, with the aid of technology.
There is a big borderline between young people in Africa and their counterparts in the West, in terms of education, opportunities and other prospects to excel in different walks of life. The imposition of tax in Kenya was met with a serious revolt, young people are saying no to unfair policies which are not people centred. The irony is that they were asked to make sacrifices for the betterment of the country, but politicians are sitting on high salaries enough to make difference in their various communities. There is a lesson to take from the revolt, people have been stretched to adapt to and form resistance to bad government in Africa, but it seems like the narrative has changed they can no expand beyond their current state.
In 2020, Nigerians staged #EndSars to end police brutality, arguably the largest protest in the country since return to democracy. This year the inflation in prices of commodities have gone over the roof. The hunger protest themed #EndBadGovernance in line to end some governmental policies which the protesters believed to have plunged the country into crisis, reference was made to fuel subsidy and questions were asked where the money gained from removal of fuel subsidy is channelled to? The protests which lasted from 1-10 of August as to show dissatisfaction from Bola Tinubu led administrative policies and enforcement.
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The president’s address was faulted on number of grounds as he failed to address the real issues surrounding the circumstances of the protest and also accusations of police brutality. Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives had earlier agreed to cut their salaries as a way of mitigating the economic severity in the country. It was gathered that such efforts were sabotaged, and revelation of take home salaries of members of red chamber have disputed publicly, over the figures, as a senator said he takes home N21 million monthly. Protesters feel that the elite class are not in touch with the reality, food inflation continues to get worse, and quality of daily living for average Nigerians have been reduced to survival mode.
Now the lights are down, the efficacy of the protest will determine how government will implement those changes advocated by the protesters. In Africa protests are not famously known for achieving its aims, and protesters are met with serious harsh reprisal from government authorities. A sharp contrast with protest in Bangladesh which ousted Sheikh Hasina, the protest achieved its primary purpose. Few days ago Nigeria’s meeting of council of state passed vote of confidence on president Bola Tinubu, while vast majority of Nigerians may have contrary opinions as they await significant economic changes, anything less is government of the elites, by the elites and for the elites.
The social media has become a growing voice for young people particularly on political matters which policies are antithetical to the masses. They are ready to mobilize and sensitize people to form resistance to such policy. In the wake of protests in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria asses to internet was thwarted, this is line with growing fear of technological advancements in bringing people together. Young people create different hashtag to form revolt against bad governance. It is a new form of alliance in Africa, it is a wake up call for leaders to sit up to their responsibilities. Young Africans are ready to have a working continent for all, equal playing field for all and conducive atmosphere for productive growth, anything less will likely face revolt.
