Mass protests going on in five African countries

Monday 20th March 2023. Five countries in Africa - Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia and Senegal are making global headlines due to mass protests.

In Kenya, the mass protests are being led by the Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya leader Raila Odinga. Businesses in the capital city Nairobi have shut down as police engaged protestors in running battles. The Kenya deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua claims the economy has lost Sh 2billion due to the protests.

South Africa

In South Africa, Police were deployed across the country on Monday after a left-wing party called for a "national shutdown", sparking fears of a repeat of unrest that turned deadly two years ago.

There was a heavy security presence at the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria, where demonstrators were expected to protest later.

The country's third-largest party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has urged South Africans to take to the streets and bring the country to a halt.

Authorities said they were on high alert to prevent and fight any acts of criminality and maintain public order. Parliament announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the deployment of 3,474 soldiers to assist police.

South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema. [File, Standard]

Nigeria

In Nigeria's capital Lagos, opposition politicians have called for street protests over what they have described as rigging in last month's presidential elections. Nigeria's main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, is protesting in the streets over alleged electoral fraud. They marched to Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices, protesting against the country's election results released a week ago.

Newly elected Nigeria's President-elect Bola Tinubu. [AP]

Tunisia

In Tunisia, protesters marched on the streets to pressure the government over the alleged authoritarian rule by President Kais Saied. Thousands of opposition supporters including members of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) have been rallied in the capital Tunis.

Tunisia's President Kais Saied. [AP]

In Senegal, supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko are protesting in the capital Dakar in support of the aspiring presidential candidate, who faces a libel case set to resume this week.

Senegal opposition leader, Ausmane Sonko. [Courtersy]