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How Digital Authoritarianism in Africa Threatens Citizens' Human Rights

By Ibrahim Abdulsalam Olasunkanmi
Article How Digital Authoritarianism in Africa Threatens Citizens' Human Rights
THU, 14 NOV 2024

Digital authoritarianism is on the rise in Africa, with over 19 internet shutdowns across 12 countries in 2022. African governments are increasingly using technology as a tool to monitor, control, and suppress dissent. This was evident during the 2021 Ugandan elections when the government imposed an internet blackout to silence opposition voices. In Nigeria, the government’s decision to ban Twitter in 2021 after the platform removed a controversial tweet by the president highlighted the lengths to which authorities will go to control digital spaces. These actions suppress citizens' freedom of speech and have profound implications for the future of democracy and civil liberties. To curb digital authoritarianism, African nations must enact strong digital rights legislation, promote digital literacy, and build international coalitions to advocate for internet freedom.

Digital authoritarianism in Africa extends beyond these high-profile cases. Just before the 2020 elections in Tanzania, the government implemented Draconian online content regulations, effectively censoring critical voices and stifling dissent. Similarly, in Ethiopia, the government has repeatedly shut down the internet during political unrest, cutting off citizens from vital communication and information networks. Such measures create a climate of fear, deterring individuals from speaking out against injustices and eroding the foundations of democratic participation.

Using digital tools to restrict freedom of expression violates fundamental human rights and undermines the essence of democracy by silencing the voices of ordinary citizens. Furthermore, this persistent repression weakens societal trust, creating an environment where citizens fear speaking out against their governments.

To address digital authoritarianism, African countries must establish robust digital rights legislation that protects individual freedom. One effective approach is the promotion and enforcement of robust digital rights legislation.

For instance, South Africa’s Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) models how transparency and access to information can be legally protected. Similar legislation can be adopted across other African nations by engaging national parliaments to draft and pass digital rights laws.

Governments should collaborate with regional bodies like the African Union to ensure consistency in implementing these laws and set up independent regulatory agencies to monitor and enforce compliance. This collaboration would create a legal framework that upholds digital freedoms and holds governments accountable for violations.

Civil society organizations, both local and international organizations, play a pivotal role in shaping and supporting digital rights legislation. Their efforts are essential in ensuring that governments remain accountable and that the laws passed are effectively implemented to protect citizens from overreach. International advocacy further curbs the spread of digital authoritarianism in Africa. By driving the conversation on digital rights and holding African governments accountable for digital rights legislation, civil societies can play a pivotal role in reducing digital repression.

Promoting digital literacy is also key to empowering citizens to navigate these challenges. Educating citizens on their digital rights and equipping them with the skills to protect themselves online can weaken government attempts to limit online freedom. Ghana’s Cyber Security initiative is a prime example of a national program designed to raise awareness and promote cybersecurity among citizens. Expanding such initiatives across the continent would help citizens safeguard their digital rights and enhance resilience against authoritarian measures.

The rise of digital authoritarianism in Africa represents a significant challenge to freedom of expression and the democratic process. However, the implementation of strong digital rights laws, the promotion of digital literacy, and sustained efforts by local civil society organizations and the international community can limit digital repression by the government. The future of democracy in Africa hinges on our ability to resist digital repression and uphold the principles of free expression, ensuring that technology empowers rather than oppresses.

Ibrahim Abdulsalam Olasunkanmi is a writing fellow at Africa Liberty. He tweets at @abdulsalam_071.

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