Zimbabwean human rights lawyer and Pan-African activist Brian Kagoro says sometimes people are forced to be hostile to their leaders and states due to poverty and inequality.
Kagoro was speaking during the National Security Symposium in Kigali, Rwanda, recently.
In his address, Kagoro unpacks how poverty and inequality fuel hostility towards leaders and states in Africa.
He said when people – the subaltern – feel badly neglected or marginalised from social and economic activity, do not get or are denied opportunities, suffer injustice and unfairness, are desperate and hopeless, lack trust and confidence in their government, are angry about corruption and looting and are languishing in poverty, they pose a threat to their leaders and to the state, hence this becomes a security issue.
Leaders should address these challenges because by doing so, they can then help reduce hostility and build trust with their citizens.
