Image Source: Council of Foreign Relations Cellou Binani/AFP via Getty Images
Monday to Friday, October 2020, social media in Nigeria became awash with videos of a young motorist in Ughelli, a town in the Southern part of Nigeria who was seen being thrown out of a moving Lexus SUV in the daylight hours. Witnesses who videoed the event narrated how a group of Nigeria’s notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had gained access to the young man’s vehicle, shot and threw him out while driving off with the young man’s Lexus SUV.
The resultant effect was an immediate outrage that sparked off protest across parts of the country, riding on the #EndSars hashtag, young Nigerians moved into the streets requesting their elected representatives to not only put an end to the notoriety of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad through disbandment, but to also kickstart reforms that would improve working conditions of the Nigerian Police Force.
June 2024, Kenyan youths popularly referred to as “Gen Z” or “Generation Z” appalled by the controversial Finance Bill 2024, would embark on a nationwide protest in an act of defiance against what they believe was an imposed austerity which the government’s proposed tax increases would be for the citizens whose lives it was elected to improve.
Mobilized under the #EndFinanceBill hashtag, young Kenyans would occupy the streets, and government institutions as they voiced their concerns over the controversial bill as well as criticizing the ostentatious lifestyle of elected representatives and demanding more accountability in government.
Expectedly, the responses of the government to these scenarios had been nothing short of continued brutality through the use of state-owned machineries in its effort to rationalize the grievances expressed through the protests as an attempt aimed at overthrowing the government. The result is the growing human rights violations, extra-judicial killings, and a growing disconnection between elected representatives and the people.
Disconnected Leadership – A Bane of African Societies
Across Africa, there is a growing discontent among the younger generations who feel that not only are their leaders disconnected from the aspirations, and realities of the people whom they are elected to serve, but the same leaders also seem committed to brutalize as well as deny them their needs and rights to a quality standard of living. The resultant effect can be seen in the protests, riots, and unrest that have continued to spring up across the continent.
No matter the style of leadership, from outright dictatorships to democratically elected governments, Africa has continued to suffer a leadership that is more self-serving and detached with a focus on promoting individual interests of the collective few over that of the majority, especially its youth demographic.
Moreso as several African countries continue to struggle with the burden of an ageing corps of elected representatives and several sit-tight governments that have grown insular and unable to connect the needs of the younger generation, the poor governance structures that are evident in the lack of accountability, unfettered corruption, abuse of power and weak institutions have all contributed in keeping Africa behind on several developmental indices.
Another factor that brings to the fore the disconnection that has become evident with leadership in Africa is the tendency to engage with repression and brute force rather than dialogue as a tool to resolve grievances, especially among its youth population.
Taking a cue from the examples earlier mentioned, responses from the governments of both nations led to the needless loss of lives as the deployment of security forces and the use of live ammunition on unarmed protesters in an attempt to browbeat them to submission could have been avoided only if the government had continued the path of dialogue.
The penchant for suppressing opposing and dissenting voices among the younger generation by political leaders in Africa contributes to the growing distrust between the youth and those occupying political positions. Stifling voices looking for legitimate means to express their grievances can only further aggravate the situation and turn non-violent peaceful situations into violent ones which continually set Africa back.
Also, among the growing instances of a disconnected government in Africa is the continued economic exclusion across several demographics with the youths feeling the brunt of an insecure and uncertain future.
The prevailing presence of corruption which has contributed to the continued wastage by political elites in Africa who have successively concentrated wealth in the hands of a few as well as loyalists willing to play ball has continued to widen the social divide on the continent.
With unemployment growing, economies collapsing, and rising inflation, survival becomes a common occurrence among Africans who either brave the risk of emigrating to other developed economies via treacherous routes or seek untoward means to make ends meet. This gives rise to crime and instability which are not good indices for attracting critical foreign direct investments (FDI) that are crucial in boosting the economy.
Finding Common Ground
The principles of representative government or democracy demand that elected representatives be accountable to the electorate. This implies that not only are the elected expected to carry the electorate along, but ill-timed and ill-advised policies should be shelved where controversies arise over their implementation.
For Africa to stem the tide of youth restiveness and provide proper representative governance that would improve the outlook of the continent, African leaders should begin to set in motion mechanisms that ensure.
- Accountability in Governance: Transparent systems that drive accountability in government institutions as well as mitigate against waste while punishing corrupt individuals can go a long way in building trust between the leaders and the led. Citizens should be able to see how resources are allocated and be able to understand the challenges while holding their leaders accountable.
- Policies that Promote Structural Reforms: Policy formulation in government circles must be rigorous and broad-based to incorporate opinions among the demographic it is meant to impact. Short-term empowerment programs and handouts in the form of grants are likely not going to address the many societal issues such as unemployment. African leaders must put in the work to make sure that the trust invested in them by their people in voting for them is rewarded through a better standard of living.
Dialogue: Every citizen’s opinion counts in how they choose to be governed. The attempt to suppress opinions or witch hunt dissenting voices will only exacerbate the growing discontent. By exploring platforms like townhalls, public hearings, and summits, African governments can leverage these as tools to feel the pulse of the citizens, understand their expectations, and formulate policies that better serve the people.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
