Kenya is again on fire and blood. At least 50 young demonstrators have been killed by the police since June 25 and hundreds of people injured by bullets are to be deplored. It is by wanting to commemorate the sixty assassinations committed in other mobilizations in 2024, and protest against corruption and the liberticidal policies of the government that the “generation Z” again endangered. This once again demonstrates the exceptional courage of a large part of African youth, as we saw last year in Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania (our edition of August 29, 2024), and previously in Burkina-Faso, Mali and Senegal where decisive victories have been obtained.
Protesters demand not only economic opportunities and social policies, but also the end of the diversions of public funds and a sovereign policy in the face of ancient colonial powers. European governments, of which Switzerland, should remember when they directly or indirectly support crooked and authoritarian regimes, sources on a good part of the misery that pushes young people to migrate under our skies. Or when they saber in development aid, as the Federal Council did this year.
In this summer 2025, it is Kenya and Togo that hold the top of the poster. In the French-speaking country, it is the endless West African problem of the hints of the authoritarian presidential clan-the gnassingbé, in business since 1967!,-to maintain itself in power that makes up the backdrop. At the end of June, seven participants in the rallies were killed by the police in the Togolese capital. As in Kenya, the repression and the musement of critical voices also fueled anger. In Lomé, Nairobi and elsewhere, arbitrary detentions and measures to restriction on freedoms of expression and association preceded and accompanied the dispute movements. In Kenya, the social media accounts of opponents were closed, then one of his cyber-militants, Albert Ojwang was found dead two days after his arrest in a cell in the central police station with traces of abuse on the body.
The authorities are not mistaken by targeting the canvas. African Z generation has also become an expert in the use of networks. And not only to protest. In Kenya, some promise to closely monitor, with new digital tools, the 2027 elections to prevent fraud. The fact remains that the balance of power is imposed today on the street. Sirininumbers, “the secret is in the number”, repeat in Anglo-Swahili manifestors, who have this power on their side.