Demonstrations: Reasons Why African Presidents Use Excessive Force Against Demonstrators.

 

In many African countries, demonstrations against the sitting government are met with resistance from the authorities, including the use of excessive force, arrests, and even deadly violence.

 African presidents who hold on to power often fear protests and demonstrations because of the following reasons:

Threat to their legitimacy: Protests and demonstrations can be seen as a direct challenge to the authority of a sitting president. 

When citizens take to the streets to protest against their government, it can undermine the legitimacy of the president and his government, particularly if the protests are widespread and persistent. 

This was evident in Kenya in 2017, where protests erupted after the controversial presidential election, resulting in the country being divided along tribal lines.

Fear of losing power: Many African presidents have a long history of clinging to power, often through authoritarian means. 

They may fear that protests and demonstrations could turn into a movement that could unseat them from power. 

This was the case in Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected in a controversial election in January 2021, and protests broke out soon after the election results were announced.

 The authorities responded with deadly force, leading to the deaths of dozens of people.

Fear of destabilization: Some African presidents fear that protests and demonstrations could lead to instability in their countries, particularly if they escalate into violence. 

This was the case in South Africa in 2021, where protests against the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma turned violent, resulting in widespread looting and destruction of property. 

The government responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, leading to the deaths of over 300 people.

Fear of exposing corruption: Protests and demonstrations can also bring attention to corruption within the government, particularly if they are focused on issues such as mismanagement of public funds, lack of transparency, and accountability. 

This was the case in Kenya in 2015, where protests broke out after allegations of corruption within the government were exposed. The protests led to the resignation of several government officials, including the minister of health.

In conclusion, African presidents fear protests and demonstrations against their regimes for a variety of reasons, including threats to their legitimacy, fear of losing power, fear of destabilization, and fear of exposing corruption. 

However, it is essential to note that citizens have a right to express their grievances peacefully, and governments should respect this right and address the concerns of their citizens through dialogue and peaceful means.