Political Unrest and Policy Shifts Intensify Across Africa as Protests Rock DRC, Nigeria, and Kenya

Several African nations are currently grappling with significant political upheaval, ranging from violent protests over constitutional changes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to widespread demonstrations against economic hardship in Nigeria. These events highlight a growing friction between governments and their citizens, as leaders face increasing pressure to address security concerns, economic stability, and democratic transparency. In the DRC, recent rallies organized by the C64 coalition against President Felix Tshisekedi’s plan to amend the constitution turned violent, resulting in at least 20 injuries, including high-profile opposition figures Martin Fayulu and Prince Epenge. Simultaneously, hundreds of Nigerians took to the streets of Lagos on Democracy Day to voice their frustration over soaring living costs and the government's perceived failure to curb insecurity, despite over two decades of democratic rule.

The human cost of political and health-related policy decisions has also come to the fore in Kenya, where the death of 17-year-old Sylvester Muigai Ndung'u has sparked a national outcry. Ndung'u went missing during protests against a United States-backed plan to establish an Ebola quarantine center at a military base in Nanyuki. His body was later found in a mortuary with severe injuries; while witnesses allege he was shot by police, authorities have suggested a tear-gas canister may have been the cause. This tragedy, the third casualty related to these specific protests, underscores a broader trend of alleged police brutality and a lack of transparency in public health initiatives, which has led to violent clashes between the state and local communities.

Contrasting with this state-level volatility is a complex shift in Mali, where the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) is reportedly transitioning from terror tactics to a more community-oriented governance role. In regions under their control, JNIM has begun collecting taxes, resolving local disputes, and facilitating aid distribution—a move observers see as an attempt to gain political legitimacy following the withdrawal of foreign troops. While the Malian government remains firm in its refusal to negotiate with the group, calling them terrorists, some residents describe a newfound sense of predictability under JNIM rule, particularly when compared to the conduct of government forces and Russian military contractors.

On the diplomatic and immigration front, new policies are reshaping how African nations interact with one another and the international community. South Africa has announced a strategy to bill foreign governments, including Nigeria, for the costs associated with deporting their citizens who violate immigration laws, following the deportation of over 100,000 undocumented migrants in the last two years. Meanwhile, the United States has initiated a controversial third-country deportation policy, recently landing a flight of non-CAR nationals in the Central African Republic. These developments, spanning from grassroots protests to radical shifts in insurgent tactics and immigration enforcement, signal a period of profound transition and volatility for the continent's political landscape.