#EndSARS, Kenya’s uprising: Biggest African revolutions since 2020

Features General
Okezie Omorogie
June 27, 2025
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Nigeria, Sudan, 10 least peaceful countries in Africa in 2025

Since 2020, Africa has seen a surge of revolutions driven by youth demanding change against corruption, authoritarianism, and inequality. From Nigeria’s #EndSARS to Kenyan youth revolution, these uprisings, amplified by social media, challenge entrenched powers and inspire hope for transformation.

Nigeria’s #EndSARS: youth against brutality

In October 2020, Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests, sparked by police brutality, saw youth demand systemic reform. Coordinated via social media, the movement faced a brutal crackdown, including the Lekki Toll Gate massacre. Though SARS was disbanded, #EndSARS ignited lasting political awareness.

Sudan’s resistance: defying military rule

Sudan’s resistance committees, pivotal in the 2019 revolution, reemerged post-2021 coup to demand civilian rule. Despite a 2023 civil war, these youth-led groups organize protests and aid, showcasing resilience and inspiring pro-democracy efforts across Africa.

Kenya’s Gen Z uprising: economic defiance

In June 2024, Kenya’s youth protested the Finance Bill 2024, rejecting tax hikes amid economic hardship. Leaderless and digitally coordinated, the protests forced concessions but met deadly repression, highlighting a generational push for accountability.

Sahel’s Pan-African Shift: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

Military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger since 2020, led by figures like Ibrahim Traore, reject neocolonialism for Pan-African sovereignty. The Alliance of Sahel States faces criticism for authoritarianism but inspires debates on self-determination.

Mozambique’s electoral revolt

In October 2024, Mozambique’s youth began revolutions against election fraud, challenging FRELIMO’s decades-long rule. Facing violent repression, the revolutions led by figures like Venâncio Mondlane, demands democratic reform, echoing regional uprisings.

Legacy and challenges

Africa’s post-2020 movements, driven by youth and technology, challenge systemic failures but face repression and economic hurdles. With a growing youth population, these revolutions signal a transformative era, demanding justice and self-determination.