#FreeTheCitizens Movement: A Familiar Struggle for African Protestors

The ongoing #FreeTheCitizens protests in Ghana have yet again spotlighted the painful reality of how African governments, time and again, oppress the very people they are meant to serve. Sparked by the unchecked devastation of galamsey (illegal mining), this movement is not just about protecting water bodies or addressing economic woes. It is, more profoundly, about the right of citizens to demand better governance without fear of state-sanctioned violence or repression.

Credit: Pulse Ghana

What is unfolding in Ghana is all too familiar across the African continent: a government that promised to fight illegal mining but, when faced with protests demanding accountability, resorts to force to silence those very voices. The case of the galamsey protesters, including minors and elderly citizens arrested during peaceful demonstrations, shines a spotlight on how state apparatuses—from the courts to the police—are often weaponized against the masses. Despite Ghana’s democratic credentials, the government’s actions in this case reveal the fragility of civil liberties when the power of the state feels threatened.

Credit: Thread

Across Africa, we’ve seen this cycle repeat. In Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests, youth were met with bullets for daring to protest police brutality. In Zimbabwe, the #ThisFlag movement saw protestors imprisoned and tortured for speaking against corruption and economic mismanagement. These stories paint a grim picture: governments that are quick to claim democratic values but whose actions betray autocratic tendencies.

Credit: Ghana Web

What makes the Ghanaian case particularly egregious is the irony of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s background as a human rights lawyer. The disconnect between his professional past and the present actions of his administration illustrates a troubling trend: once in power, leaders frequently abandon the very principles they once fought for. The #FreeTheCitizens protestors, who include women, children, and bystanders, have been denied food, water, and legal counsel while in custody, violating basic human rights.

This suppression of voices in Ghana is not just about environmental destruction; it is about governments across Africa using state power to stifle dissent. Whether it's the denial of basic rights or the strategic use of the courts to delay justice, the message from African governments is clear: protest at your peril. But this strategy, rooted in fear and repression, only deepens the divide between the ruling elite and the ordinary citizens they oppress.

Credit: Pulse Ghana

The question now is: how long can African governments continue to play this game? History shows us that when people rise en masse, no amount of state-sponsored violence can suppress the demand for change indefinitely. From South Africa’s apartheid to Sudan’s recent revolutions, the tides always turn. The youth, especially in Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and beyond, are increasingly aware of their power and the role social media can play in galvanizing global attention. #FreeTheCitizens is not just about Ghana; it is a continuation of a continental fight against bad governance, and this battle will only intensify.

African governments must learn from these protests. It is not the protestors who are the problem—it is the governments that refuse to listen, who resort to violence and repression, that ultimately destabilize their nations. The masses, emboldened by each other’s struggles, are demanding a new era of accountability. The future of African governance depends on how well these demands are met.