During peaceful demonstrations in Africa, it’s never guaranteed to the population or security forces that protests will remain peaceful until the end. Therefore, many popular demonstrations are either barred from occurring or strictly monitored by security forces.
Peaceful demonstrations in Africa often fail to yield significant outcomes in addressing protestors’ grievances. Instead, they are sometimes hijacked by anti-government factions rather than focusing on anti-policy issues, which should be the central concern of peaceful protests.
Furthermore, criminal elements frequently infiltrate peaceful demonstrations, leading to social disorder and civil disobedience. This, in turn, attracts harsh responses from the police and security agencies.
George Monbiot highlighted in The Guardian four months ago that in the UK, one might receive a longer sentence for public nuisance (non-violent civil disobedience) than for rape or manslaughter.
Many states in Africa and globally have enacted stringent legislation against demonstrations to safeguard national interests and general security. Kenya may soon follow suit.
Recently, led by Gen-Z Kenyans on social media, major streets in Kenya witnessed scenes of deadly chaos as protests erupted on June 18, 2024, against President William Ruto’s proposed new taxes.
Protesters demanded that legislators reject the controversial bill aimed at imposing new taxes in a country plagued by long-standing frustrations over the high cost of living.
As of Monday, July 1, 2024, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported 39 deaths and 361 injuries during two weeks of demonstrations.
The Commission strongly condemned the excessive violence inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, lawyers, journalists, and sanctuaries like churches, medical centers, and ambulances.
KNCHR also denounced acts of lawlessness during the protests, including attacks on parliament and government buildings, as well as the destruction of property worth 2.4 billion Kenyan shillings ($18.6 million).
The destruction includes damage to the Office of the Chief Justice, Parliament, and City Hall, for which the burden of payment falls on Kenyans themselves.
This crisis marks the most significant challenge for President William Ruto since his election in September 2022, following a deeply divisive election in a nation once considered a beacon of stability in a turbulent region. Now, Kenya and its citizens are counting their losses.
In contrast to Uganda’s police, Kenya’s force has recently received international praise for its democratic approach. However, 39 deaths occurred at the hands of this internationally acclaimed police force.
One can only imagine the toll in Uganda, where some officers are even sanctioned for criminal and financial offenses.
There are many peaceful avenues available for citizens, such as in Uganda, to express dissatisfaction or disagreement with policies or the regime, other than resorting to civil disobedience.
Ugandans must understand that violent dissent only leads to undesirable outcomes, affecting innocent bystanders and inevitably resulting in brutal suppression and responses from the police.
Ultimately, such clashes result in casualties, whether among protestors or at the hands of law enforcement. Looting and property destruction often accompany such incidents.
Richard Bard Byamukama, Lawyer and Security Studies Expert
