The Arab Revolts: Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa?

Policy Study

The overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt, the events in Tunisia and the fighting in Libya sparked intensive discussions in the rest of Africa, especially in countries which have been under the control of dictators for a long time, such as Zimbabwe. But the police there detained 46 people including a former MP for attending a discussion on the Arab revolts. In Uganda the president ordered phone companies to intercept text messages with words such as “Egypt” or “people power”. The signs are clear: dictators in Africa fear that their people may follow the examples in North Africa. But are their fears justified?

Read the article by Arnold Wehmhoerner, FEPS Correspondent for Southern Africa