AfriqUPrising! Protest movements in Africa
Africa is uprising! All over Africa, protest movements are emerging. Thousands of people are taking to the streets of Zimbabwe, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, Burundi and other countries; they demonstrate, tweet and blog for more democracy, self-determination and against authoritarian governments. Despite differences regarding the background and nature of these protests, they are an expression of a growing legitimacy crisis of African governments and frustration about failed promises, the enrichment of political elites and the undermining of democratic institutions.
In Germany, we hardly hear anything about such protests. This is what we want to change with this dossier. African activists, invited by the Heinrich Böll Foundation to Berlin in April 2017, are picturing in video interviews and soon to be published articles, what future visions they have for their countries, how they are planning to expand their movements and how a supportive Africa policy by Germany and Europe could look like.
Trailer "Protest movements in Africa"
AfriqUPrising! Protest- und Demokratiebewegungen in Afrika - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Watch on YouTube
Twitter Wall #AfriqUPrising
Zacharia Mampilly, Professor of Political Sciences at Vassar College, USA
We need to rethink what democracy means. It is more than occasional elections, it means genuine improvements in people's political and economical conditions.Zacharia Mampilly
Thiat, Rapper and activist at "Y'en a marre" ("Fed Up"), Senegal
We have a big problem with the media. We see a lot of weapons in Senegal - but nobody asks where they come from. People don't talk about the resources that are stolen from our continent. We have 7-year old children with Kalashnikovs killing people in the mines because of the coltan that big companies in the USA, China or Europe need. And the media is silent.Thiat
Fred Bauma, Activist La LUCHA, DR Congo
My vision is to built a new Congo where people are free and aware of their power and who will use this power to influence and set the political agenda in their country.Fred Bauma
Linda Masarira, Activist at #21DaysofActivism, Zimbabwe
We have been silent for too long. We have to play an active role in ensuring that a new leadership will be implemented that will act responsible – and responsive to the needs of the people of Zimbabwe.Linda Masarira
Teddy Mazima, Photo reporter, Burundi
When the government burnt down four radio stations in 2015, social media became the only way to talk about Burundi and tell the world what was going on. It was the only way to break the silence.Teddy Mazima
Video documentation of the event "AfriqUPrising!" on April 26, 2017 in Berlin
AfriqUPrising! Protest- und Demokratiebewegungen in Afrika - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Watch on YouTube
