Nairobi,
Wednesday, 26 June, 2024
McCreadie Andias
The African geopolitical space is no stranger to violent and messy Anti – Government protests, From the recent Anti – Finance Bill protest that have turned international attention to Kenya due to excessive police force and violent protest incursions to state institutions, alot can be drawn on the nature and face of African protests.
A Nairobi city morgue reveals that atleast 45 dead bodies were received in the aftermath of Wednesday’s Anti – Finance bill protest in Kenya that attracted millions of angry youths from across the country over a tax standoff set to be introduced by Kenya’s 2024 Finance Bill.
The Bill was recently passed in parliament despite heavy uproar and criticism from the public inviting massive protest that claimed lives with thousands taken into custody if not in hospital beds. The youths managed to break into the country’s parliamentary premises while other torched homes and offices of legislators who voted in favor of the bill. It was a very provocative protest from both sides painting one of the darkest pictures in Kenya’s socio-political history.
However, on Wednesday, 26 June, 2024. The government bow to pressure and President William Ruto conceded to the voices of the protestors withdrawing the bill in its wholesome under a presidential Memorandum of Refferal. The contentious bill will now be recalled back to parliament and all clauses withdrawn as the Kenyan parliament proceeds to recess.
This was not the first protest in Kenya where excessive force was used by law enforcement agencies or protestors crossing the red line. We have seen similar protest driven by the opposition against the government before but this was unprecedented owing to the nature of it’s engager.
The Gen-z (millions of youths organizing the protests) have however held and X space a few hours after the president’s statement to concede the bill,In the space, more than 120,000 youths and activists express their concerns over mistrust to the head of state and vowed to march back to the streets on Thursday morning demanding for the President to resign. According to the Gen-z, it’s too late now and alot has already been lost which can only be resolved if the president puts pen on paper and leaves office through resignation.
Many such bloody and messy protests have been seen before from across the African continent putting into question the authenticity of law enforcement agencies to handle protests in accordance with the law while the protestors have also been questioned for being excessive and unpeaceful.
But tthe real question is, why is Africa turning into a hub of violent Anti – Government protests and what is fueling these protests?
Political Repression is a massive point to begin with . Many politicians in Africa are good at creating widespread dissatisfaction and frustration among citizens. When governments suppress freedoms such as speech, assembly, and the press, people feel deprived of their basic rights and are more likely to organize and protest. Additionally, the lack of political representation and frequent human rights abuses under repressive regimes increase public anger.
In Zimbabwe between (2018-2019), Following the resignation of Robert Mugabe, protests erupted over economic mismanagement and electoral irregularities.The government responded by using excessive force, including live ammunition, to suppress the protests. This resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. The reason for Violence was attributed to Long-standing political repression and a lack of avenues for peaceful dissent lead to violent confrontations.
Economic hardships have been a mastermind of sparking wide protests for ages since they always come with over taxation and embezzlement. The burden is usually hard difficult to bear with creative chaos and mayhem.
In Sudan between (2018-2019),Protests began over the tripling of bread prices, which quickly escalated into demands for the removal of President Omar al-Bashir. Security forces used live ammunition, tear gas, and beatings to disperse crowds, resulting in significant casualties.This protest was fueled by Severe economic distress, compounded by corruption and mismanagement, fueling public anger, making protests more intense and violent.
In another perspective, Ethnic and Sectarian Divisions have polarized unity in a continent build by diverse ethnic groups. In Ethiopia (2020), Protests following the assassination of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa led to widespread violence, particularly in the Oromia region. The Government deployed The military and police which responded by shooting protesters, leading to hundreds of deaths.
These protests were fueled by Ethnic tensions and historical grievances.
Lack of stable democratic institutions inhibits equity and transparent accountability and transparency.The people lose trust in the government and key institutions mandated to deliver democratic rights causing uproar. This was seen In Uganda 2021 where Protests erupted following the arrest of opposition leader Bobi Wine during the presidential election campaign. Security forces responded with live bullets, tear gas, and mass arrests, resulting in numerous deaths.
Similar protests were seen in Kenya in after the 2007 general election and the aftermath was the Post – election violence which left masses dead and millions sustaining injuries, The protests erupted when the Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commision (IEBC) was allegedly accused of aiding the victory of Mwai Kibaki by tallying in a huge number of late votes. Kenya was forced to settle for a grand coalition government where power was shared between the government and opposition after a lengthy mediation process.
Absence of strong democratic institutions and fair electoral processes often leads to violent suppression of dissent in Africa.
Furthermore International Influence and Weapons Proliferation have disfabricated national unity charging war and violence. The international community has laid a hand on Africa’s sovereignty and democracy not for once which has often led to chaos and protests.
This was seen In Libya 2011 where Protests against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime quickly escalated into a civil war, with significant international involvement. Gaddafi’s forces used heavy weaponry against protesters, leading to a high death toll. The aftermath saw Gadaffi executed by United States special forces who labeled him as a terrorist and a threat to international order. The influx of weapons and foreign intervention by countries in the global North more of the global powers has been a great contributor to prolonged and bloody conflicts in Africa.
A weak Rule of Law sparks anger over massive injustices and impunity by elected officials and institutions. When laws are not enforced consistently, and officials act with impunity, corruption flourishes. This erodes public trust in government institutions, leading to frustration and uproar among the populace.
Africa has been negatively labeled as a hub for Inequality and Injustice where Weak legal systems often fail to protect citizens’ rights and ensure fair treatment. Marginalized groups feel particularly neglected or targeted, exacerbating social tensions and contributing to a sense of injustice
In Nigeria 2020, The #EndSARS movement, protested police brutality, especially by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), was met with a violent crackdown. The Lekki Toll Gate massacre, where security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters, epitomized the brutal response. Weak rule of law and lack of accountability for security forces encourage violent repression of protests.
Managing the surge and intensity of protests in Africa calls for restraint of forceful response by law enforcement personnel and commitment by the Government to listen into the needs of its citizens. Institutional reforms are not only necessary but urgent to clean up injustices, corruption and mismanagement.
