PROAFRI

Protests in Sub-Saharan African countries

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This project aims to study mobilization in sub-Saharan African countries -with a focus on Nigeria and Zimbabwe- by investigating protest activities between the year 1995 and 2010. By articulating the social movement literature with African studies, the research aims to analyze the impact of the political context and the organizational structure on mobilization in such countries. In addition, it proposes to study the impact of a repressive political context on the organizational structure sustaining mobilization. Empirically, the research will first explore mobilization in various sub-Saharan African countries by using existing public opinion surveys (Afrobarometer Survey Series Data) containing information on individual engagement in protests and public demonstrations. To understand the impact of a repressive context on the organizational structure, it will then analyze protest events and actors involved in protests in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, both classified as repressive countries by international indexes. By specifically focusing on mobilization around the oil-related issues in the Niger Delta, in-depth interviews with main organizational actors will clarify the specific organizational resources necessary for the development of protests in a repressive context. Analyses of these data will privilege a mixed-method approach and will be elaborated through classical inferential statistics and qualitative techniques. The project is relevant for the Work Programme as it proposes a genuine mobility within the ERA and it promotes interdisciplinarity and intersectoriality, thus strengthening exchanges and networks among scientific communities. In addition, it aims to attract the interests by non-specialists on issues relevant for European policies.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU group studied political protest in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The work provided important conclusions about protest organisation generally, including that the stronger the repression the less organised protesters will be.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

According to international indices, the SSA countries of Nigeria and Zimbabwe are both classified as repressive. Studying those regions reveals general principles about protest in authoritarian situations.

The EU-funded project 'Protests in sub-Saharan African countries' (PROAFRI) studied political mobilisation in the target countries between 1995 and 2010. In addition, the study examined the effects of a repressive political context on organisational structures sustaining resistance mobilisation. The source of information was existing surveys of public opinion, which reflect individual engagement in demonstrations. The two-year study concluded in August 2013.

Investigations underlined that repression can either defuse or trigger development of an organisational structure. While a moderate level of repression may trigger mobilisation, a greater military capacity combined with strict repression will deter and defuse mobilisation. Research also revealed that where protesters rely on a strong organisational structure, including networks with affiliate organisations, high rates of mobilisation result.

Lastly, the work identified three conditions where organisations find alternative means of action, and thus maintain a stable organisation structure amid authoritarianism. The conditions include: violence, transnationalisation and a moderation of action options. Protest effort depends on the strength of protest organisations, and on the extent of international alliances.

PROAFRI succeeded in clarifying the means by which protest organisations survive in repressive contexts. In addition, the research showed that when repression is cohesive across all arms of government, political challengers face minimal opportunities.