Political Protest in Contemporary Africa

Synopsis

Some observers see the third wave of protests in Sub-Saharan Africa as a politically motivated revolution of the middle class akin to the Arab Spring, whereas others label it a materially-driven revolt of the chronically poor. These interpretations are not mutually exclusive. Members of an emerging middle class desire political influence commensurate with their economic status and possess the money, education, communication skills, and political autonomy that make them effective protest organizers. Meanwhile, most rank-and- file protesters in Sub-Saharan Africa are not middle-class but rather live at a subsistence level. This group is motivated mainly by material concerns-especially low expectations of upward mobility-and not by grievances against a ruling regime--