By Laura-Stella Enonchong and Simbarashe Tembo[1]
“Silencing the guns” is a tune that has been so overplayed at every African leaders’ gathering that even infants can rehash the lyrics. Everyone can repeat the lyrics, but not everyone can perform it as it has traditionally been a preserve for our geriatric leaders. Africa has a youthful population, comprising about 60% of the continent’s entire population, but the youth have historically been excluded from politics and decision-making processes. Youths have frequently expressed their dissatisfaction with their exclusion, marginalisation, and underrepresentation in areas such as peacebuilding, political and economic decision-making, even in those issues that directly affect their interests.
The political space is dominated by geriatric autocrats who continue to cling to power, leaving no space for the youth. The consequences can be seen from recent youth backlash against the failure of democracy and democratic processes in Africa.
Recent reports suggest that there is a growing discontent with the dividends of democracy amongst the youth. Although this may be unsurprising, what is more intriguing is the youth’s apparent support for the recent coups in Africa that occurred between 2020 and 2023 in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gabon. This raises the question of whether Africa’s youth prefer the bullet to the ballot. The answer to that question is of particular importance to African governments and regional organisations such as the African Union in reinforcing their peace and security initiatives to silence the guns in Africa.
Why Youth Support Coups d’état
A recent survey conducted by Open Society Barometer indicates that about 37% of youths across fourteen countries in Africa support military rule. The leaders of recent coups in the Sahel region, for instance, are mostly young men and they have received support largely from young men. In Burkina Faso, popular support for the coup came from a largely youthful population.
The principal reason for this apparent support for military rule is the failure of democracy to produce responsive governments that provide basic needs. Many African countries face considerable challenges, including declining economic conditions, corruption, poor educational opportunities and restricted political spaces. There is also insecurity and violent extremism, especially in the Sahel region. These conditions have deleterious effects particularly on the youth. The conditions cumulatively reduce or eliminate the opportunities for the youth to flourish. Faced with little or no prospects for success, the youth are inclined to support change, even if it appears to come through the military.
There is however some consolation. Although the youth are disillusioned with democracy, there is still a preference for ‘the ballot over bullets’. The Open Society Barometer survey also reveals that 68% of youth support democracy. The youths’ apparent support for the military should not be viewed as a rejection of democracy. It is a yearning for a form of democracy that works. The current system of democracy has largely failed to be responsive to the needs of the people. It is manipulated by those in power. For instance, democratic practices have been manipulated by families like the Bongo family in Gabon to entrench their dynasty. Constitutions have also been manipulated to remove presidential term limits, so that presidents can run for office indefinitely.
Recent coups have had another twist: they have been accompanied by strong decolonial and pan-Africanist sentiments. That has made coup leaders like Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso to be seen as a reincarnation of Thomas Sankara.
So, are the youths across Africa calling for a democracy that is rooted in the ideals of Pan-Africanism? Surely, they seek a homegrown approach to democratic governance. The type that is capable of enhancing peace and security and effectively eliminating longstanding challenges like poverty in Africa.
Providing a ‘Youthful’ Space for Democratic Governance
The African Union through the African Governance Architecture has acknowledged that efficient and effective democratic governance is vital to its initiative of silencing the guns in Africa. As Africa has a largely youthful population, the youth must be a vital part of democratic governance to achieve peace and security. Below are some recommendations on how this can be done at the domestic and continental level.
First, through youth empowerment. African governments should empower youths by investing in education and engaging them in programs such as youth leadership training. Educating youth on peace and security matters will disincentivise their resort to violence. Education on democratic leadership will endow them with the skills and tools to contribute to the democratic literacy of their peers and prepare them for leadership roles.
Second, states should develop inclusive strategies for democratic governance, reinforced by legislative and constitutional provisions. This entails for instance, drafting laws that do not unfairly exclude young people from participating in democratic processes or holding political offices. Further, including constitutional provisions for mandatory quotas for the appointment of youths to certain public offices. Gender quotas have been used to improve the representation of women in public offices in some African countries. Constitutional quotas can provide inclusive spaces for the youth to make meaningful contributions to public policy and decision making, particularly on matters relating to peace and security.
Third, at the continental level, the African Union can play an important role through its normative instruments and its diverse mechanisms for youth engagement. States should be actively supported to ratify and implement the African Youth Charter. Stronger collaborative links should be established with states to promote domestic engagement with the African Union Youth Division and programs such as the Youth for Peace Africa programme and the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps.
[1] Funding for this research was provided by SOAS, University of London under the ISPF-ODA Programme for the project, 'Coups d'etat and the opportunity for reconstruction and renewal’.