3 minute read
More than 150 million Africans are part of what the African Union (AU) describes as Africa’s sixth region, the diaspora.
This AU statement highlights the critical role that diaspora communities play in the present and future development of the continent.
The diaspora has sometimes been perceived as detached and misinformed about the realities of the continent. Diaspora communities are often seen to celebrate independence days with more fervor than those on the mainland and are perceived as perpetuating the wrong trope “this is Africa Europe doesn’t want you to see” on social media, ignoring the difficult realities seen within Africa. nations
However, more recently, we are seeing the African diaspora align with the concerns of young Africans seeking change; playing a crucial role in amplifying the problems in their respective nations.
Social media has helped spread awareness, with people sharing their first-hand experiences via tweets, Twitter Spaces, and the Clubhouse. One of the most prolific examples is the #EndSARS movement, and it’s easy to forget that it started in 2017.
#EndSARS is a social media movement against ongoing police brutality in Nigeria, particularly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which profiles and abuses Nigerian citizens. Similar to the protest over the killing of American George Floyd by a police officer in the summer of 2020, #EndSARS saw a reckoning within the diaspora. #EndSARS became the number one global trending topic in October 2020, gaining millions of impressions among Nigerian communities in the UK and US. Diasporans in the UK marched on the Nigerian High Commission, with the likes of John Boyega, Davido and Anthony Joshua lending their voices of support.
We will never forget the 20th of October 2020 when the Nigerian police and army fired on unarmed protesters on the Lekki Bridge. The number of people who lost their lives remains unconfirmed. “Sọ̀rọ̀ sókè” (speak up) resonated with a clear and consistent message around the world.
The How Africa Tweets report, which looks at the users shaping African discourse on Twitter, highlighted that during the continent’s 2017-2018 elections, 53 percent of influential voices came from the diaspora. However, this group is not only vocal, but also making a tangible difference on the continent. An example of this is The Gambia. During the country’s 2016 election, a presidential race emerged between dictator Yahya Jammeh and challenger Adama Barrow (who had previously lived and worked in London, including a brief stint as Argos security guard). The Gambian diaspora was involved in funding the Gambia Democracy Fund (GDF), which was instrumental in securing Barrow’s upset victory.
Social media encourages more discourse and activism across borders, with more and more campaigns drawing global attention to the realities of the continent, including the #RedPearlMovement, which focuses on ending dictatorial oppression inside Uganda, # CongoIsBleeding, which highlights mining taking place in the Democratic Republic. of the Congo and #FaureMustGo, led by Togolese activist Farida Nabourema, who is campaigning to end the Gnassingbé regime in Togo.
Looking ahead, we envision a continuation of resistance in the digital age, with those on the ground lobbying and bringing change to end oppressive rule in post-independence Africa. The continued use of internet blackouts and the blocking of social media platforms by some governments highlight how valuable the diaspora is. Even when those inside the continent are being silenced, the diaspora makes sure that their presence can still be felt.
Astrid Madimba and Chinny Ukata co-host It’s a Continent, a podcast on African history. They are also authors of the book of the same name.
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