Paper short abstract:

From the analysis of the literature and some case studies (Senegal, Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of the Congo), the article addresses the characteristics of what has been called by some authors as the "third wave of African protests".

Paper long abstract:

Sub-Saharan Africa has been the scene of a significant wave of social protests in recent years. Despite the scarce media and academic coverage of these mobilizations, their number, intensity and physiognomy could be influencing the socio-political dynamics of the sub-Saharan region. Some of these protests present clearly shared and transversal elements among them, such as their apparently urban character, the prominent role of the youth, or the claims linked to the low social expectations of the social majority or to the malfunctioning of democratic systems. Another critical factor is also its hybrid identity, between the action on the streets and in the Internet environment. The digital dimension and the role of cyber-activism seems to be conditioning the actions, but also the physiognomy of the movements, the way of organizing and mobilizing, or their aspirations and demands.

From the analysis of the literature and some case studies (Senegal, Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of the Congo), the article addresses the characteristics of what has been called by some authors as the "third wave of African protests". In a second part, it analyzes its digital dimension and the role that the Internet and social networks are having in the set of mobilizations, highlighting the interconnection and mutual solidarity of many of the protests and, in particular, the case of the Pan-African network "Africtivistes". Finally, the article raises some possible perspectives and future scenarios that this wave of protests could bring.