Hannah Omarjee | homarjee@radioislam.co.za
5 March 2023 | 14:00 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

A surge of protest bans is taking place in Africa, which many are concerned could lead to censorship. Many governments in African countries, including Kenya and Madagascar, have banned public protests. The ban comes after anti-government protests sparked outrage that turned violent in some regions. Geopolitical analyst W. Bola Olawoye, in conversation with Radio Islam International, elaborates on whether the ban on protest action in African countries could be interpreted as censorship.

According to Bola, the context of the protests needs to be examined. The protests in Kenya result from elections, which citizens believe are not being conducted transparently. In Madagascar, the protests are a reaction to economic problems that plague the country, especially after two cyclones ripped through the country in the last year, causing death and homelessness to thousands.

Bola said, “Essentially, being in, in all these cases, what is happening is that people believe that their governments are not attending to their needs, whether those needs are social, economic, or political.” The protests in Africa are reactions to governments’ actions and inactions.

The right to protest is enshrined in many constitutions across the African continent. According to Bola, the advent of the Internet and social media allows people to be more aware and informed of their rights and government duties. Protests only occur as a last resort when people feel their backs are against the wall.

He said, “I mean, it’s not easy to wake up in the morning, go out in the hot sun, chanting slogans and denouncing your own leaders, particularly in countries that have a history of heavy-handed responses to protests.”

Bola said governments’ instituting bans on protesting, after taking away people’s ability to live a good life in their land, leaves them without any options to express their grievances.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany here.