Youth Protests in Africa and Demonstrations in Bangladesh

The recent surge of protests by young African people reflects their frustration with government incompetence. Nigerians, following the lead of youth-led movements in Kenya and Uganda, have taken to the streets in dissatisfaction with living conditions and the failure of political leaders to implement economic reforms. In Kenya, youth demonstrations led to the dismissal of the government and withdrawal of a bill to increase taxes by President William Ruto.

In Bangladesh, protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government have continued. This followed the deaths of 200 people during July demonstrations against Bangladesh’s public sector quota system, which had reserved 30 percent of jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 Bangladesh-Pakistan war for independence. The Supreme Court has since reduced the quota for veterans to 5 per cent. On Monday, the prime minister resigned after 15 years in power.

In Guinea, former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara was sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity, including mass killings and rape at a 2009 political rally in Conakry, the country’s capital. Additionally, several other former military commanders were found guilty of crimes against humanity and were sentenced to life in prison. The court also ordered them to pay $174,000 in reparations to victims.