Why Street Protests Rarely Spark True Revolutions: Lessons from Africa

Street protests have long been seen as the heartbeat of collective defiance. The sight of people filling the streets, fists raised in solidarity, often feels like the purest form of democracy in action. Yet, history reveals a harsh truth: street protests, while dramatic and cathartic, rarely yield the sweeping revolutions they aspire to create. Instead, they often fizzle out, leaving societies with unfulfilled promises, deepened divisions, and lingering disillusionment.

Take Africa, for instance, where street protests have been frequent tools of dissent. In Sudan, the 2019 protests that toppled Omar al-Bashir after 30 years of authoritarian rule were hailed as a triumph of people's power. Yet, the euphoria was short-lived. The transitional government was plagued by power struggles, economic challenges, and persistent instability. By 2021, a military coup once again plunged the country into turmoil, dashing hopes of a peaceful, democratic Sudan.

Similarly, in Zimbabwe, protests against Robert Mugabe's 37-year grip on power brought millions to the streets in 2017. The military eventually stepped in, forcing Mugabe to resign. However, the replacement, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has perpetuated many of the same issues—economic hardship, corruption, and repression. The streets were loud, but the system remained intact.

Kenya's post-election violence in 2007-2008 serves as another cautionary tale. What began as protests against perceived electoral fraud quickly spiraled into deadly clashes. Over 1,000 people lost their lives, and tens of thousands were displaced. While the protests forced dialogue between rival factions, the deeply entrenched issues of tribalism, corruption, and electoral malpractice persisted, leaving the country scarred but unchanged.

Why do street protests fail to deliver revolutions? The reasons are complex. For one, they often lack cohesive leadership and a clear, actionable agenda. A sea of angry citizens can demand change, but without a unified vision, protests risk devolving into chaos or being co-opted by opportunistic elites.

Moreover, entrenched systems of power are adept at weathering the storm. Autocrats and corrupt leaders deploy brute force, or superficial concessions to weaken the momentum of protests. The system bends momentarily but rarely breaks. Protesters, exhausted and disillusioned, eventually retreat to their homes, leaving the structures of oppression standing tall.

Emotional catharsis is another trap. Protests give people a sense of agency—a belief that they are doing something. But revolutions require more than emotional release. They demand long-term strategies, institution-building, and the capacity to navigate the messy, unglamorous terrain of governance.

Consider South Africa, where anti-apartheid protests were pivotal but only succeeded because they were part of a broader, decades-long strategy involving legal challenges, economic sanctions, and international diplomacy. Change was not achieved in the streets alone but through relentless, multifaceted pressure.

This is not to dismiss the value of street protests entirely. They can ignite awareness, build solidarity, and force governments to listen. But we must recognize their limitations. True revolutions demand more than slogans and marches; they require visionaries who can transform public anger into tangible reforms, leaders willing to challenge entrenched systems, and citizens ready to engage in the unglamorous work of rebuilding institutions.

Street protests are a spark, but revolutions are fires that need careful tending. As we reflect on Africa's tumultuous history, let us honor the courage of those who march while acknowledging that the road to true change lies far beyond the streets.