Top 10 African Nations with the most significant political unrest in 2025

Summary

• In 2025, African youth are turning TikTok into a battleground for political dissent, with protest videos garnering millions of views and rallying international solidarity.
• Inflation and subsidy cuts have sparked not just local protests but cross-border movements, as economic struggles in one nation ignite unrest in its neighbors.
• Climate-induced disasters are subtly fueling political chaos, as droughts and floods leave governments struggling to provide basic services, intensifying public frustration.

Deep Dive!!!

What happens when governments falter and citizens push back? Across Africa in 2025, political unrest is shaping destinies, toppling decades-old regimes, and sparking movements that demand change. Election disputes and anti-corruption protests leading to violent uprisings, the continent stands at a critical crossroads.

While some nations are plagued by power struggles that displace millions, others are witnessing a surge in youth-led protests, leveraging the power of technology and collective action. Beneath the headlines, there are stories of resilience, resistance, and the complex interplay of political ambition and societal demand. This article highlights the 10 African nations grappling with political unrest, showing the root causes and unique outcomes shaping their futures.

10. Ghana

Ghana’s democratic reputation has been marred by growing concerns over its electoral integrity. In September 2024, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) staged mass protests, alleging voter roll irregularities. Economic hardships, coupled with public distrust in the electoral process, fueled these demonstrations.

As Ghana prepares for its next elections, the tension surrounding transparency and fairness could escalate further, threatening the stability of one of Africa’s most celebrated democracies.

9. Botswana

Botswana, long considered a beacon of stability, faced a historic shift in 2024. Protests erupted in Gaborone over proposed constitutional amendments granting the president greater powers. Citizens rejected these moves, voting out the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) after 58 years in power.

This significant political change underscores how even well-established democracies are not immune to public dissent when governance norms are challenged.

8. Uganda

Uganda saw waves of anti-corruption protests in July 2024, driven by scandals involving parliamentary discontent with high unemployment, economic hardship, and persistent corruption.

The protests in Kampala resulted in over 70 arrests, with reports of police brutality, including physical and sexual abuse of detainees. While the government promised reforms, public trust remains low, signaling deeper governance challenges in Uganda.

7. South Africa

South Africa’s 2024 general elections marked a historic moment as the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. While the elections were largely peaceful, they exposed deep divisions within the country.

Post-election protests highlighted issues of corruption, economic inequality, and failures in service delivery. Rising anti-immigrant sentiment and allegations of vote rigging further fueled tensions, signaling an increasingly volatile political landscape.

6. Nigeria

In August 2024, Nigerians took to the streets under the banner #EndBadGovernance, protesting economic hardship caused by fuel subsidy removals and a depreciated Naira. The resulting inflation hit record levels, leaving many households struggling to survive.

The government responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, involving mass arrests and reports of deaths. Despite this, the protests highlighted the population's resilience and determination to demand better governance in Africa’s most populous nation.

5. Sahel Region (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger)

The Sahel region remains a flashpoint for political and security crises. In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, military coups have destabilized governance, while militant Islamist groups like JNIM and ISGS continue to wreak havoc.

Elections promised by military juntas have been delayed, creating distrust and frustration among citizens. Combined with violent terrorist attacks and the displacement of millions, the Sahel remains one of Africa’s most unstable regions.

4. Kenya

Kenya witnessed massive youth-led protests in mid-2024, sparked by a controversial finance bill proposing steep tax hikes. Dubbed “Gen Z Protests,” these demonstrations were fueled by frustration over corruption, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.

Social media became a powerful tool for mobilization, with thousands rallying across the country. The government eventually withdrew the bill, but at a high cost—over 40 deaths and numerous disappearances were reported, deepening public mistrust in leadership.

3. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The M23 rebel group launched renewed offensives in the eastern DRC in early 2025, allegedly with support from Rwanda. Key cities, including Goma, fell under rebel control, sparking widespread violence and displacement.

Fighting in North and South Kivu has intensified, with January 2025 seeing unprecedented levels of political violence. This conflict not only threatens regional stability but also worsens the already dire humanitarian crisis in the DRC.

2. Mozambique

Post-election unrest gripped Mozambique following the contested 2024 general elections. Allegations of electoral fraud and the assassination of two opposition figures ignited widespread protests across the country.

Demonstrations reached their peak in November, with over 1.5 million people rallying in Maputo. The government’s brutal crackdown led to over 300 deaths and thousands of arrests, leaving Mozambique deeply divided and unstable.

1. Sudan

Sudan’s ongoing civil war remains Africa’s most severe crisis. Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, over 14 million people have been displaced.

With more than 28,700 fatalities reported, famine conditions have gripped parts of the country. The prospect of Sudan fragmenting into territories controlled by rival factions looms large, highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked power struggles.