Encouraging political participation in Africa, the potential of social media platforms

This report argues that social media have the potential to facilitate the active citizen political engagement required to bring about political change

The popular protests in North Africa, dubbed the ‘Arab Spring’, have reignited debate on the role of social media in facilitating political participation and active citizenry engagement. The 2010/2011 popular  protests in Tunisia and Egypt were largely organised, supported and driven through social media platforms.  

About the author:

At the time this paper was completed, Arthur Chatora was a research intern in the African Conflict Prevention Programme at the ISS Pretoria office. He holds an MA in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University, South Africa.