Photo : Africanews
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Africanews
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
South Africa: Protests calling for resignation of Ramaphosa
On 20 March, South African police said that at least 87 people were arrested nationwide following the opposition's protests. The opposition minority party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), called for a national shutdown demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of corruption and ending the energy crisis in the country. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa warned the protesters against damaging properties or harming other people. He told the protesters that their right to protest does "not give anyone the right to harass, intimidate or threaten anyone else." More than 3,000 soldiers were deployed across the country to safeguard key infrastructure. (“Dozens arrested in South Africa protests,” BBC, 20 March 2023)
Kenya: Opposition protests calling the illegitimate government
On 20 March, Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga held countrywide protests against President William Ruto and his government. The demonstrations were against the high cost of living and what the opposition calls an "illegitimate government". The police fired tear gas against the protesters to block them from marching toward the city centre. One protester was shot dead after the demonstrations turned violent in the capital, Nairobi. (“One person shot in Kenya protests,” BBC, 20 March 2023)