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This week, we uncover the movements, voices, and visions shaping the continent's political future. Deadly clashes and mass arrests have accompanied recent elections. Can democracy thrive while leaders cling to power?
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00:00Gunmen have kidnapped 25 people and killed a senior teacher at a girls school in northwestern
00:11Nigeria. Police deployed to the scene in Kebi state after the attackers had already left.
00:18Northern Nigeria has seen a series of similar abductions. The kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls
00:24a decade ago caused international outrage. The heavily armed criminal gangs known as bandits
00:30also raid villages, steal cattle, and carry out kidnappings and killings.
00:37The thought of being in your school dormitory when suddenly armed men storm the building and
00:42capture you, I find that so terrifying. When people can't feel safe in their own country,
00:48it's not just bad for every individual, but also for that country's political climate as a whole.
00:53And that is why on this episode of The 77%, we want to take a closer look at the state of
00:59democracy in Nigeria and the entire African continent. I'm your host, Liz Cho.
01:09Coming up on the show. In Nigeria, we take a closer look into opinions on U.S. President
01:16Donald Trump's threats of military action in the country. We then ask why aging African leaders
01:23continue to cling to power in a continent full of young people. And in Senegal, we look at how
01:30youth activists are fighting to hold their democracy accountable in a largely under-20 population.
01:38We'll kick off today's show in the U.S. where President Donald Trump threatened a military
01:42intervention in Nigeria, claiming Christians are being persecuted. While it's true that in some areas,
01:49churches have been attacked, we have to point out that the majority of those affected by violence
01:54in northern Nigeria are Muslims. And some are wondering whether the real reason for Trump's
02:00threats is because of how Nigeria is taking charge of its own resources. For example, by refining oil
02:07instead of re-importing from the U.S. and by signing a lithium deal with China instead of U.S. carmaker Tesla.
02:14But we also know that many young Nigerians are unhappy with the way the country is run. And so we asked them,
02:21how strong is democracy in Nigeria?
02:24We don't practice democracy as it should be perfectly. We are just like in the middle.
02:29When it comes to some certain things, they are compromising here and there.
02:32And we're not really free. It's not free and fair like that, as it should be.
02:35It's the essence of what democracy means, no. Because obviously now we can see it. Snatching
02:42ballot papers, stuff like that. That's not what a democratic nation looks like.
02:47I think in a democratic country, the government should be able to listen to the needs of the
02:53people and then be able to work on it. But I think right now in Nigeria, there are too many cries
02:57from the people and then the government are not really acting upon it. So I don't really think
03:02we're doing so well as a democratic country in Nigeria. It's meant to be, but I don't think
03:06Nigeria is a democratic society. That's because I would make use of the last presidential election.
03:12I don't think the present president was being elected by the people. I think the person who they
03:20wanted was not who is on seat currently. Very little optimism there. Well, back to
03:26Donald Trump and his controversial statement, we sent Suleiman Kolo to ask young Nigerians whether
03:32the U.S. military should intervene in Nigeria or not. Hello, everyone, and welcome to the 77%
03:38Street Debate. My name is Suleiman Kolo, and today we're tackling a very hot topic with the current
03:43insecurity and ongoing tension in the northern part of Nigeria. Today we're asking, should the U.S.
03:48intervene militarily in the northern part of Nigeria? Some people believe this is a good idea. Others think
03:52is complete madness, but today I've got four amazing guests who are going to do this with me. So
03:57without no further ado, let's get straight into it. What's up, everybody? Good evening. How you all
04:05doing? Nice. So today we're running a quick and easy street debate and we're asking should the U.S.
04:12intervene militarily in northern Nigeria? I believe this side are against and this side are for. Am I right?
04:19We are for and you are against. All right, ladies and gentlemen, let the debate begin. So I'm going
04:24to start with you right now. Should the U.S. intervene militarily in northern Nigeria? I stand before you
04:30today to say loud and clear no to that simply because U.S. military intervention in northern part
04:36of Nigeria is not a welcome help and it is a complete madness. One of the reasons is because, let's start from
04:42where the entire issue started, right? The issue between the farmers and the elders happening in the
04:49north. This issue is as a result of land disputes and water disputes and, you know, undermining this
04:56kind of issue into something that is, you know, religious based is dangerous and very misleading.
05:04Okay, okay, okay. Do you agree with what she just said? Trump hasn't, he hasn't got any record of going
05:12into any country and leaving it in a mess. Let's hold him to his words. The intervention in Nigeria is going
05:19to focus on the terrorists who endangering the lives and properties of Christians in the northern part of
05:26the country and the oppression is going to be fast and quick and sweet as well. Do you have your point?
05:32Yes, I do. I do. So, I like the fact that you mentioned that it's going to be quick and sweet, right?
05:40Now, the question I would ask is how? Because what Trump promised is military troops, if I'm correct.
05:47And when we mention military troops, we all know what it comes with. More bombs, more shooting, more
05:52countries being destroyed. And are you trying to tell me that this will not even lead to
05:57fueling more terrorist groups and more, you know, killing people?
06:01What's really at stake for Nigerians right now? Our security, our sovereignty or something more?
06:07So, what Nigerians actually need right now is our security. Yeah, because that's the most important
06:13thing so that we can sleep at night peacefully and wake up the next day.
06:16Yeah, the government, they are actually not doing a great job. Apart from the military rule,
06:21the democratic rule of Nigeria has been so bad. We just don't have, democracy is not something
06:28that works in Nigeria. Let's be honest. We don't have this, are we even really doing democracy?
06:33Should we start from our elections? I get you. So now, okay.
06:39I mean, the major accusation from the U.S. is that the so-called genocide or terrorism in Nigeria
06:49is sponsored by government actors, you understand? The so-called political elite.
06:55So, and that being the case, that is in fact why I think that a U.S. military intervention is not
07:02only a matter of necessity, but also a matter of urgency, because we cannot count on the same
07:07government to be the solution to our current problems if they are perceived to be the enemies
07:13of the state. What matters most is the life of the average Nigerian, you understand? And if the
07:19government is not providing that security for the average Nigerian, then a military intervention by a
07:25foreign power is most welcome. I totally agree with him. Okay. Right. But what you actually need
07:32right now is the military intervention, because you cannot keep like being silent and dying silent,
07:38whereas we are thinking that everything is fine and nothing is moving well.
07:44U.S. don't help anybody for free. There is definitely an interest of either domination or
07:50taking over. And also, I also think that the fact that... Okay, sorry, he's asking,
07:55so let's hear from him quickly. So I think most of the fear of most Nigerian, the fear of domination,
08:00thinking that when they arrive that they're going to take over like the natural resources or which even
08:06though they don't like take, that is already behind like taking over by most of our government
08:11because we don't have access to that. But then coming in, there might be a tactic where we have
08:15like access to our own natural resources, but they are definitely going to take away all the insurgents
08:21and everybody, bad government, because that is the most important thing. While we're saying that Nigeria
08:26helping Nigeria, we have been hearing it for so long. So you prefer that they just come help us,
08:31and even if they are going to take the resources, they should take it. They're not going to take the resources,
08:35because that's the fear of most Nigerian, the fear of domination.
08:37Okay, okay, I think...
08:38I think...
08:39All right, sorry, let's hear from her first.
08:42The U.S. intervention, they've never left the country they intervened in peace. They are still
08:50always suffering, and we Nigerians are already suffering enough. We are forgetting that innocent
08:57people are also in these places. You can't, you can't tell me that, oh, they are coming here,
09:03they know the people they are coming to fight.
09:06Okay, let's go back to him. Let me hear from you.
09:09The summary of the whole thing is that we have a problem, and the solution is not going to come
09:16internally. You understand? Because the same people are the ones who are accused to be the
09:22enemies of the state, the sponsors of terrorism, the same elements in government, you understand,
09:27and even our military. Yes, now that you mentioned, why do you think so?
09:33So, me, now, I think we are enablers of our governments.
09:40We Nigerians, we enable our governments a lot, a lot. So, before all this, people have been tweeting,
09:49complaining, saying this on X, and, oh, this and this is happening, this and this is happening.
09:56Our government don't take us seriously, and we also don't take our government seriously. So,
10:00let's be honest with ourselves. We are bad people. Our governments are also bad people.
10:04Because these people are coming from us. If we are still having the same people, I'm not voting for
10:10anybody.
10:10Oh, that's right.
10:12Still on her point, you have something to say?
10:14Yeah.
10:15So, that is the main political apartheid. Because you don't have interest in politics. So,
10:20that's the main, like, the main issues of Nigeria. Because you don't have, you don't believe in your
10:24government.
10:25No, no, no, no. Don't, I don't say that. I don't say that. Don't tell me.
10:29Do you have interest in politics?
10:30I have interest in politics. And let me tell you, I'm not saying that, oh, I don't have interest in
10:35politics. That's why I'm not voting for these people. I don't have, I believe that there is nothing
10:41these people are offering. They are all birds of the same feathers. They have all ruled. They've
10:47all governed.
10:48So, now he's saying an external influence will be important. So, what is your own solution right
10:54now? Your own?
10:54Our own, my own solution is let us, the youth, stand up ourselves.
11:00How?
11:00We need to find a way. I don't know how we are going to do it. I don't know the answers.
11:06So many people, celebrities, notable figures came out to actually protest against the department of
11:11the police force who have, unfortunately, aggrandized more powers to themselves and
11:17started intimidating the poor civilians. You know, when that happened, they hosted a very
11:23massive protest. What was the outcome of that?
11:27Sorry. So, speaking about the answers, you just said, okay, we can try and come out ourselves and
11:32try to make it work for ourselves. Well, he gave an example with the answers. It didn't work. So,
11:37what other solution would you prefer?
11:39Okay. So, answers didn't work, but I believe we can try again and try again and try again.
11:45Because U.S., you see, they did not just get there in a day. It was continuous buildup. And I think if we
11:51allow U.S. to take over, like, to come and control us and the way we, because they don't understand the
11:58issues that we have. There's the issue of corruption. Why don't we put measures in place that everybody's
12:04being dealt with, regardless of your position?
12:05Sorry, let me cut you a bit. Do you agree that we should try and try and try? I don't think so,
12:11because we have been trying. So, how long? But we just tried with answers. There's no,
12:16there's no results. This is really heated. But right now, let's hear the final solution. The
12:22final, final one. Last one. Are you? Yes. At this point, it's not, it's in the interest of all to
12:28at least allow a foreign intervention. Let us even see what is going to happen. Lastly, I refuse to
12:34believe that sovereignty is dead. This is a matter of national pride and principle. And allowing U.S.
12:39military to working on us is like declaring publicly that we cannot govern ourselves. So,
12:44what then will happen to our independence? So, I believe that Nigerian youths, again,
12:49not just the youths, everybody, we need that cooperation. We need to shun corruption. We need
12:55to shun nepotism, tribalism. Let people be dealt with, regardless of their rank or their titles or the
13:02kind of family they come from. And then, there are a lot of things. The list goes on. There's also the issue of
13:06unemployment. Create small jobs. Let's empower rural development. Invest in agriculture. And
13:12hopefully, we'll have a better Nigeria. Wow. What a debate. As you can see, I'm sweating. But,
13:20as you can see, split opinions. The conversation is endless. But one thing is clear. Young Africans are
13:27not giving up. Nigerians, to be precise. We are not giving up. We are not staying silent. Until I come your
13:32win next time, I still remain your boy, Suleiman Kulu. Peace out. See ya.
13:39Thank you so much, Suleiman, for that fantastic street debate. Now, we've seen young people across
13:45Africa taking to the streets to oppose leaders they say are not holding up democratic values. And we know
13:51that for democracy to work, we also need politicians who know when it's time to go. So, here at the 77%,
13:57we ask ourselves, does the age of our leaders determine the quality of our democracies?
14:04My colleague, Rachel Dwati, has some answers. Young men blocking roads. Thousands of people have
14:10turned out to the rallies. More respondents. Corruption as a problem. Does the age of leaders
14:16affect democracy? And are older leaders holding tighter to power? Let's start with Cameroon.
14:24After the recent election results were announced, opposition supporters took to the streets and
14:30protests erupted in several cities. Many young people accused authorities of rigging the vote.
14:37They were protesting the re-election of one man, Paul Beer. He's been Cameroon's president for over 40 years.
14:45But why would a 92-year-old man still want to rule this young nation whose average age is just 18?
14:54For many young Cameroonians, it's hard to feel represented by a leader nearly five times their age.
15:01Then there's court divorce. Alassane Wattara has led the country since 2010 and is now 83.
15:09He recently secured a fourth term. But in the months before the election, thousands protested in
15:16Abidjan against his bid to run again. Two opponents were barred from running. And only half of the
15:23registered voters went to the polls. And last is Tanzania's Samir Surlubu. Her party, Chama Chama Pinduzi,
15:32has ruled since Tanzania got independence in 1961. Her recent election was marred by arrests,
15:40intimidation and violence with over 1000 estimated deaths. So we've answered the first question.
15:49Now for the second. Is holding onto power really about age or more about a system where a leader
15:56operates in Jakaya Kikwete in Tanzania, Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya, and Good Luck Jonathan in Nigeria
16:05all stepped down peacefully, ensuring smooth transitions. Kikwete was 64, Kenyatta was 60,
16:13and Jonathan 57. So when older leaders hold onto power, it can clash with the hopes of younger
16:21generations. Some block change while others step down peacefully. But what do you think?
16:31Speaking of politicians and their age, did you know that Zimbabwe was once ruled by the world's
16:37oldest leader? President Robert Mugabe was 93 years old when his authoritarian reign ended.
16:43But even under the current president, Mnangagwa, who is 83 years old, Zimbabwe is still not a country
16:50where everybody can just speak their mind. I noticed that every time I talk to young Zimbabweans.
16:55Many are super reluctant to publicly say anything negative about the government.
17:0126-year-old Namatai Kwekweza does not belong to that group. She's an activist and has won this year's
17:08German Africa prize for her courageous commitment to the rule of law and democracy in Zimbabwe.
17:14The group we lead has gathered to learn about the constitution and democracy. Zimbabwean human
17:26rights activist Namatai Kwekweza founded the organization which focuses on civic education
17:33and civil rights. The activism itself and the advocacy journey is something that then, you know,
17:38transpired through the things that I would experience. So when my mom was retrenched,
17:44it was part of very powerful politicians and judges conniving to create a statutory instrument,
17:50a law that would allow them to retrench people on a three-month notice and not pay them anything.
17:55And my mom was one of the thousands of people that was affected by that.
18:01Namatai started We Lead at 18 with no prior experience in human rights activism.
18:07Today, her organization operates in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
18:12I'm a constitutionalist and I like to focus on the constitution as a cultural practice,
18:18as a leaving document, as something that we are leaving every day, breathing.
18:23You know, when you talk about the right to education, you know, when you talk about the right to life,
18:29when you talk about environmental rights, when you talk about accessing clean drinking water.
18:33Namatai's activism comes at a high cost amid Zimbabwe's escalating crackdown on dissent.
18:40In July 2024, she and two other campaigners were arrested for taking part in a protest
18:46against the detention of opposition supporters. They were tortured, charged with disorderly conduct,
18:51and held for 35 days. It was a very painful process because I really watched how the difference,
18:58the different, you know, departments of government, be it immigration to the police,
19:04to the magistrate courts, and the prosecutors themselves came together and sort of colluded
19:10to actually keep us in prison.
19:12At the time of her arrest, activists in Zimbabwe were protesting economic hardship,
19:20rights violations, and the lack of democratic space.
19:25Ahead of the August 2024 Southern African Development Community Summit in Harare,
19:31the government arrested and beat opposition members, students, and civil society leaders
19:37to prevent protests. After 35 days in detention, Namatai and her colleagues were acquitted.
19:44She now draws on her own experience in detention to consult and support others.
19:49You know, if you're abducted for speaking truth to power,
19:51if you're in prison for speaking truth to power, it's hard. But if you're waking up and you're leaving
19:57a life, a shell of a life that is limited in opportunity and possibility, that is also hard.
20:03So I think it's very important for young people to choose the prison in which they want to belong in.
20:09Congratulations, Namatai Kwekweza, and keep up the good work. I'm sure you are an inspiration to many others.
20:17Now, for some African countries, pursuing democracy does not only mean speaking up to those in power.
20:22As we find out in Senegal, it's also about being proud of Africa's rich history.
20:27It's about believing in Africa's immense strength instead of relying on foreign powers,
20:33whose political and financial influence often comes with strings attached.
20:37Let's travel to Senegal's capital, Dakar, to find out how young people are shaping the country's future,
20:44even when it's risky.
20:47What really makes Senegalese democracy strong in a region marked by political instability?
20:52In Dakar, we met those who live it, defend it, and sometimes pay a heavy price for it.
20:5865 years of independence and five elected presidents.
21:03Senegal is often cited as a model of democracy in Africa.
21:06In Dakar's streets, this reputation is a source of pride for the youth.
21:11In Senegal, everyone has the freedom to speak and express themselves.
21:16The strength of a democratic country is that the government actually listens to its people.
21:23Democracy is when everyone is treated the same, no matter their political views.
21:30Countries in crisis are not democracies.
21:32Dictatorships can last a year, two years, ten years, but sooner or later, they explode into conflict.
21:40For me, an independent country is a democratic country, a country of peace.
21:44Dictatorship can last a year, a country of peace.
21:45Democracy, a precious achievement for Suleiman, an activist with front for a popular and pan-African
21:52anti-imperialist revolution, a grassroots citizens' movement.
21:56Are our democracies being held captive by a group or an elite?
22:02This morning, he's leading a civic awareness workshop with a dozen young people.
22:07For the young people of Dakar in Senegal's capital, one word comes up again and again, democracy.
22:16I don't agree with everything about democracy, but we have to remember it's for the people.
22:21I don't understand why we choose our MPs in Senegal this way. The political parties decide. We don't
22:29even know who our representatives will be after the election.
22:32The goal of this meeting? To rethink the foundations of democracy. For some, it means peace. For others,
22:43justice or a government that truly listens to its people.
22:48Without democracy, we go back to the state of nature, where everyone does as they please.
22:55That's why, even if it's imperfect, we must keep questioning and improving it.
23:00It's what allows society to function.
23:06Between 2021 and 2024, Senegal's democratic model wavered.
23:12Mustafa witnessed it firsthand and paid a heavy price for his convictions.
23:18This is where they arrested me. It was the 30th of March.
23:22In March 2023, the country erupted after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was convicted.
23:28A move seen as an attempt by President Makisal to cling to power.
23:33Mustafa, then 25, joined the protests.
23:37The torture was horrible. It stays in your mind. The way they tortured us.
23:41Even animals aren't treated like that. They didn't even let us speak.
23:46Mustafa spent five months in prison.
23:48He lost his scholarship and his dream of studying law.
23:56Every new regime should respect term limits. But every time there's a transition,
24:01they're suffering, deaths. And it's us, the youth, who pay the highest price.
24:05That's why I question Senegalese democracy. There's still a lot to do to strengthen it.
24:10Senegalese, because this will be very, very important.
24:13Half of Senegal's population is under 20, according to the latest census.
24:18In a West African region shaken by political instability,
24:22Senegal stands out as a true laboratory of democracy, driven by its youth.
24:29And to wrap up our show, let's hear from young people in Botswana,
24:33a country that is considered one of Africa's leading democracies.
24:36So, democracy, yay or nay?
24:39Democracy, it is important because it protects our rights and peace.
24:44It's what you have to say in how the country runs and how it runs.
24:47Let me pray, since it's important for the China, of course.
24:50A lot of times, Kuwait knows that our language needs our voice of peace.
24:55We can hear in harmony and in our voice, I suppose, like a nutrition.
25:01Democracy means having a say in how a country should be learned.
25:06It protects people's rights and also promotes accountability and promotes citizen participation.
25:17Well, that's all we have time for today.
25:19You've now heard from the youth in Botswana and our reporters from across Africa.
25:24And now we want to hear from you.
25:27What is the state of democracy in your country and what are you doing to get involved in making
25:32your country a place where everyone is treated equally and has a voice?
25:37Let us know by writing to us.
25:39I'm Liz Cho and I'll leave you with the song Power by the multi-talented Kenyan Muthoni,
25:45Drummer Queen. Enjoy and see you soon.
25:593
26:04I am
26:12I am
26:14I am
26:20I am
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