#Up4Democracy

The role of youth in reclaiming democracy in Africa

Throughout time, the youth has been instrumental in the development of democracy, whether directly or indirectly, intentionally or by chance, it is the youth that has always agitated for better, for fairness, for development, for justice, all the elements that make for the development and strengthening of democracy.

This has been so across the world and indeed more so in Africa the most demographically youthful continent on the planet. Since the days of anti-colonialism, as we reflect on the first country to gain democratic independence, Ghana, and the revolt of the youth of 1976 in South Africa, it is evident that the youth have always spearheaded the call for democratic freedom and fairness.

The continent often sees sporadic protests mostly rooted in frustration over a political leadership decay. South Africa’s neighbour, Mozambique’s electoral system credibility is under scrutiny as the youth took to the streets in protest of the Frelimo victory more than a month ago. The impact of the strikes hit SA’s border gate, Lebombo tremendously with intermittent closures instituted since. In November, Siphiwe Nyanda, the SA high commissioner to Mozambique, quoted by the Aljazeera, saying the effect of the supply chain by the nationwide protests was undeniable and direct. “The protests have created a ripple effect that impacts not only local economies but also commuters and daily life in places like [the South African border town] Komatipoort, which depends on Mozambican workers and trade,” he said.

More than 100 Mozambicans have died as a result of the elections. According to News24, a South African truck driver, Andrew Tema, had to flee into the bush after the protesters stormed the border. "I was returning from Maputo, where I had offloaded. A group of young men armed with knives and machetes pounced on my vehicle demanding money. "They pushed me aside, drove my truck, and closed the road with it. They then assaulted me inside the truck,” he added that his belongings were forcefully taken from him.

In June this year, nineteen people became casualties and part of the Kenyan parliament building in Nairobi was reduced to ash after protesters aggrieved with the proposed tax increase stormed it. Within 24 hours, President William Ruto rescinded his decision. The Gen Z’s had successfully taken the bull by the horns. “I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and daughters, for us to listen to them,” Ruto said.

The Kenyan youth mobilised under the social media hashtag #Rejectfinancebill2024, under the message “Tupatane Thursday” which is Swahili for “let us meet on Thursday”. Social media has been instrumental in mobilising protestors in some of the biggest protests in the continent and in sharing important information on the direction of the protests. The message of rejection quickly gained momentum.

In a world that is evolving faster by the day and political, social, and capital landscapes are ever-changing, there comes a great deal of risk to human rights and the stability of democracy. The youth are leading the charge once again, whether through social activism or active involvement in politics, Africa’s youth will not surrender their vision of the future to a few “old heads”.

We have seen in Zimbabwe how a young Chamisa challenged a long-standing political figure for the presidency of the country, albeit unsuccessfully. Still, it shows how there is a healthy appetite by young Africans to chart their destiny and to advocate for democratic change even at the highest level of politics.

We all aspire to live in a fair world, to experience real freedom, and to be given the platform of opportunity to reach our potential truly. Africa is unique in that because of its young population, these aspirations are more real as they speak to the daily material conditions of their lives which they inherently want to improve.

Although many countries in Africa have made great strides toward these ideals, there is still a great danger where those who would see democracy stifled for their nefarious gains co-opt young people into doing the very things that would undermine democracy, the rule of law and indeed human rights. Footage out of the Democratic of Congo where young children, men and women are forced into unscrupulous labour mining for precious materials.

This is evidence that although some countries have turned the tide against dictatorships and violently controlled “rebel” camps, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in countries like

Congo. The blessing and the curse for these countries still marred with anti-democratic atrocities is that they are vastly endowed with mineral resources but severely underdeveloped to industrialise for the benefit of their citizens. Opportunity-like power cannot exist in a vacuum, so those with means will always look to exploit mismanaged or unmanaged opportunities. Imagine what it would mean for an average youth living in DRC if there were real democratic instruments, the rule of law that protected and empowered them, and intentional respect and preservation of human rights and human dignity. Africa and possibly the world would be a different place altogether.

Building democracy takes a lot of hard work, dedication and financing. It takes vision and the special ingredient of having the needs of a better life for the community at heart. These attributes are the responsibility of leaders. The unfortunate scenario for African youth is that most of the funding, intellectual support and financing of social programs is often funnelled through the same repressive “governments” and entities that frustrate real democratic changes.

It is astounding that although history has taught us much, the youth is still largely shunned from opportunities that will determine their future. We should start looking at how we can all contribute to making democracy as a concept and a reality tangible for youth across Africa and be involved whether through funding activists, media campaigns or anything for the greater good of democracy and the youth in our beloved Africa. Perhaps we can see the youth play a more meaningful role in reclaiming democracy as did their predecessors before them, but only with our help.