Youth protests spread across African continent in demand for better governance

What started as a social media push for accountability by Gen Z for good governance in Kenya one month ago, has now spilled over to countries across the continent.

Youths from several African countries have also taken to the streets to air their grievances in their pursuit of governance reforms.

Ghana's youth have vowed to hold protests to hold their government accountable ahead of polls in December.

The demonstrations were set to start on Wednesday and run for seven days. However, the high court in the country banned the protest that was meant to bring more than 2 million demonstrators to the streets.

The police had moved to court saying the protest would disrupt normalcy.

Protestors chant slogans during a rally against what they say are rampant corruption and human rights abuses by the country's rulers in Kampala, Uganda July 23, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS)

The Nigerian Government created job opportunities for their young generation in the state oil companies to halt their plan to hold protests.

The government rolled out billions in grants to entice them not to stage anti-government protests. However, the youths have vowed to remain focused and from August 1 they will stage 10 days of protest across the country.

Some demonstrators are already in the streets and are asking the President to end bad governance in the country.

In Uganda, youths took to the streets last week demanding the resignation of Uganda's Parliament Speaker Anita Annet among other issues related to the high cost of living.

As they marched toward the Parliament buildings last week, they were met with a heavy security presence. More than 100 protestors were arrested according to officials.

President Yoweri Museveni warned the organisers of the protestors not to dare him. In his televised address to the nation, Museveni said the country is busy creating wealth and demonstrations will disturb them.

Kenyan protests saw more than 50 lives lost and property worth billions of cash destroyed. The protests which were staged every Tuesday and Thursday led to Kenyan President William Ruto rejecting the contested Financial Bill, 2024 and dismissing his entire cabinet.