Here are some of the most intense protests that have rocked Africa in 2024

Rising economic difficulties, discontent with the rule of law that favors the political class, corruption, and harmful economic policies are some of the rationales that have driven dissatisfied Africans to the streets to protest.

While there have been far too many protests on the continent to count, from labor union srtikes to revolt from farmers, doctor, lawyers and other group of professionals, some protests simply stand out, gripping an entire nation in unrest.

With that said, here are some of the most intense protests that rocked the African continent in 2024.

In a nationwide protest that shook the whole of Africa, young Kenyans since June have been calling for the resignation of the country’s current president, William Ruto.

This protest is the circumstantial successor of a protest to ease the lives of the average Kenyan via the elimination of an expensive tax initiative.

The request for the president’s resignation originated from the initial protest against the controversial tax bill that was proposed by William Ruto. The contentious tax bill aroused considerable dissatisfaction throughout the country, particularly among its youth.

The levy was placed on essential facilities, things that contribute to e-waste and environmental damage, imported products, and products and services used directly and solely in the building, which prompted nationwide protests involving thousands.

However, once the protests got violent, resulting in the deaths of over 40 people, Kenyan protestors immediately switched gears, demanding that the president resign, notwithstanding the fact that their requests to repeal the tax bill was adhered to.

In response, the Kenyan president made very drastic changes to his government including the firing of his entire cabinet, eliminating the budget for the offices of Kenya’s first and second ladies following nationwide protests, suspension of all non-essential travel by state and public officers, and other such initiatives.

Inspired by the protests in Kenya, which has led to massive changes in the Kenya’s administration, Uganda youths in July, decided to follow suit, by marching to parliament in order to voice their grievances against what they believe to be a corrupt system.

The protest resulted from the anger felt by the Ugandan people, particularly the youths, over the long-running allegations of corruption involving several high-profile public officials, which led to plans to march on the parliament.

However, the planned march was not permitted by law enforcement which proceeded to seal off roads and stand guard around the parliament building in the days leading up to the protest.

Even the president of the country advised against the protests, noting that it had foreign interest and was designed to disrupt the country’s socio-economic climate. The protest would hold regardless.

Also recently, the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) threatened to embark on a nationwide strike after the president of the country failed to meet with them. They demanded that something be done about the rise of foreign traders in local markets, alongside a formal and respectful communication from government officials.

Nigerians, upset with the country’s economic plight, took to the streets in August to protest the present state of affairs. Many Nigerians have used the hashtag #Endbadgovernancein Nigeria to vent their frustrations with the government.

For months, there have been talks on social media about holding a demonstration in response to the economic ripple effect caused by President Tinubu’s policies. However, the notion gained traction when the Kenyan finance bill protest captured the attention of international media.

A protest would follow as protesters demanded accountability, transparency, and serious reforms to combat corruption, food inflation, rising living costs, and other types of economic mismanagement.

The protest suffered significant push back from the Nigerian government, including the imposition of 24-hours curfews across numerous states, a number of anti-protest campaigns, and the deployment of hundreds of security personnel to numerous states across the country, some of which reportedly got into violent altercations with protesters.

The protests which lead to the deaths of around 17 people, numerous injuries and the damage of public and private properties, would lose momentum after the president’s state of the nation’s address on the 4th of August.

The Northern African country of Tunisia has experienced a few protests in 2024 including the protest against the presence of sub-Saharan migrants who have become stuck in the nation.

However in May, hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital city, Tunis, yelling “down with the dictatorship” in protest against the wave of arrests under a presidential order that opponents believe is being used to suppress dissent.

This demonstration was tied to the arrest of two Tunisian media professionals, both of whom got one-year prison terms for statements deemed critical by the government, in the most recent prosecutions under Saied’s Decree 54, which prohibits the “spreading of false news, as reported by Aljazerra.

Six journalists have been imprisoned since Saeid’s Decree 54 went into effect. Also, according to the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists, the directive has resulted in the prosecution of over 60 journalists, attorneys, and opposition members.

There was also a counter protest in the same month as hundreds of people rallied in Tunis in support of President Kais Saied chanting “The people want Kais Saied,” despite considerable reproach at home and abroad following a wave of arrests of journalists, activists, and attorneys.

Following the re-election of Comoros’s President Azali Assoumani, a violent protest erupted, immediately leading to one death and 25 injuries.

The outrage resulted from Assoumani’s reinstatement of his fourth five-year term after the country’s electoral commission proclaimed him the victor of the presidential election against five opponents with 62.97 percent of the vote.

A few days after the announcement, angry protesters found themselves at the tail end of tear gas canisters fired by military personnels after Assoumani’s opponents claimed the election was compromised by voter fraud, citing incidents of ballot stuffing and voting concluding before the official closing time. The administration disputed the charges.

The interior ministry announced a nighttime curfew throughout the country but protesters were still in the streets in the north of Moroni a day after the curfew was imposed.

Buildings were destroyed, robbed, and torched, including a minister’s residence, a state-run enterprise, and a large rice storage. There were also Internet problems, with several websites being unresponsive.

President Macky Sall issued on February 3rd that the presidential elections, which had been slated for February 25th, 2024, would be suspended. The political opposition condemned the postponing of the impending presidential election and called for protests.

Subsequently, thousands of Senegalese people marched in the country’s capital in the first authorized protest since President Macky Sall postponed elections for his successor, only for a higher court to overrule his decision.

The former president’s last-minute decision to postpone the February 25 election sparked Senegal’s most serious crisis in decades.

The protesters in Dakar wore black T-shirts printed with “Aar Sunu Election” (Protect our Election), the name of the civil society collective that organized the peaceful demonstration, which took place in a joyful environment.

As reported by Reuters, three people lost their lives as a result of the demonstrations. At the time protesters and police clashed violently in Dakar and numerous other cities, sparking fears that the upheaval would lead to long-term instability.