Social Media and Political Transformation in Africa: Citizen Mobilization and the Digitalization of the Public Sphere
by Georgette Arielle Djoufan Fotsing, Ph.D
Author: Dr. Georgette Arielle Djoufan Fotsing
Source: The African Geopolitical ATLAS 2025: Conflicting information, conflicted realities
Publisher: Stake Books
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63542/oujq2874
Document Type: Book Chapter
Publication date: May 5, 2025
Keywords: social media; political participation; digital activism; cyberspace and governance; online civic engagement
ABSTRACT - The evolution of African societies with the arrival of alternative media, notably social media, has been one of the driving forces behind change, bringing new forms of political engagement to the forefront. The wave of democratisation with the return to multi-party politics in the 1990s in several countries across the continent gave rise to new forms of protests and demands. Furthermore, the prodigious evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) through the Internet has created a flat space as posited by Thomas Friedman, where actors, often protagonists, circulate without control and navigate according to their means (Friedman 2006). In this way, the Internet has rapidly grown since it entered the political sphere in the 1990s, establishing itself as an indispensable part of modern political communication. As Alix Desforges puts it, for the general public, cyberspace is synonymous with the Internet. However, in more operational terms, cyberspace refers to a theatre of operations or a strategic concept, used in military doctrines at the highest level of government and in international negotiations (Desforges 2014). Through its many tools, the Internet has emerged as a training ground for militant action. Referred to as the set of services that enable the development of social interactions online, or the establishment of a dialogue with a community, social media competes with traditional media such as print, television, and radio. Also known as "social networks," social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube are experiencing a notable resurgence, accentuating the emergence of a democratic debate in African societies.
In this regard, the rise of digital technology is indicative of the utilitarian nature of political engagement, which is evident in the dissemination of various political opinions, helping to reconstruct the democratic debate. Social networks are, therefore, new modes of communication, creating new forms of expression in the public sphere. As such, social networks, under certain circumstances, escape the restrictions on freedom of expression established by the governing order through legal or political means. In addition, these tools contribute to civic engagement (Mare 2020). In fact, the Internet penetration rate in Africa in 2023 was 41.3%, with almost 596.5 million Internet users (Kamdem 2023). This reflects a tangible increase in the deployment of digital platforms.
Mobilisation enabled by social media leads to increased interaction between citizens. New media have become a forum for exchange between citizens and political players, leading to increased political participation. Indeed, the new digital platforms have enabled direct access to a large volume of information and are revolutionising means of expression, reflecting the forms of citizenship that are emerging online. Some pressure groups use online advocacy to mobilise their members for an effective campaign. From this perspective, the Internet has facilitated new structures for “netroots” political associations (Karpf 2010). While it's true that digital platforms are particularly vulnerable to massive misinformation, the fact remains that information is a vital and a key element in mobilisation. This is all the more important as well-informed citizens will tend to engage more actively in the democratic process (Giasson et al. 2013). Thus, highlighting that a large volume of information from digital platforms increases political interest.
In Africa, social networks are often used as tools for denunciation. Modes of action involving surveillance, denunciation and judgment give a resounding echo to protest mobilisation slogans. African users of digital platforms are increasingly monitoring government activities, which all contributes to the legitimisation or "delegitimisation" of political elites. This configuration of social networks highlights countries' endogenous problems by exposing them. Instrumental variables allow us to identify a causal relationship between power and social media. This reflects the elites' utilitarian or instrumental approach to social networks. As political activism evolves, social participation emancipates, positioning itself as a new tool for democratisation.
Dr GEORGETTE ARIELLE DJOUFAN FOTSING is a distinguished scholar specialising in International Relations, Peace and Security, and Gender Studies, holding a Ph.D. from IRIC. Her extensive experience includes research at the International Crisis Group and lecturing at UCAC and IRIC. She currently contributes to the IGNITE project in Cameroon and researches the Cameroonian diaspora. Dr. Djoufan is skilled in conflict prevention, field research, and public relations, bridging the gaps between civil society, government, and international institutions. A prolific author and conference participant, she champions girls' and women's rights through active involvement in relevant associations and political organisations.
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