The Platform Question: Power, Accountability and Global South accountability, as seen in the cases of Kenya and Nigeria, their misuse can also weaponise disinformation, hate speech, and cyber harassment that play into the interests of some political actors. There remain gaps in current platform governance, which struggles to balance the protection of free expression with the need to mitigate harm. This is especially so when for some IT platforms appear to be selective in what is addressed. Ultimately, the ongoing tug of war between platforms and politics in Africa reveals broader tensions around power, control, and citizen engagement in the digital age. Strengthening platform accountability and protecting digital rights are essential to ensuring that democracy in Africa can withstand these pressures and remain vibrant, progressive and inclusive. This requires not only technical and legal innovation but also sustained advocacy and political will to foster transparent, pluralistic, and participatory digital public spheres. References: 1. Strengthening platform accountability and protecting digital rights are essential to ensuring that democracy in Africa can withstand these pressures and remain vibrant, progressive and inclusive. 140 2. 3. 4. Asadu, C. (2021, June 2). Twitter deletes Buhari’s ‘treat them in the language they understand’ tweet after outcry. Retrieved from The Cable: thecable.ng/breakingtwitter-deletes-buharis-tweet-on-dealing-withsecessionists Bodunrin, I. A., & Matsilele, T. (2024). Social media and protest politics in Nigeria’s #EndSARS campaign. Science Direct, 109-122. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-32390237-3.00006-0 Code For Africa. (2021, March 26). Debunking election disinformation during Uganda’s internet shutdown. Retrieved from https://medium.com/code-for-africa/ debunking-election-disinformation-during-ugandasinternet-shutdown-d82f8345b634 Conroy-Krutz, J. (2021, July 7). Nigeria’s Twitter ban could backfire, hurting the economy and democracy. Retrieved from The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/ nigerias-twitter-ban-could-backfire-hurting-theeconomy-and-democracy-162233 Democracy Caught in A Power Struggle Between Platforms and Politics The Platform Question: Power, Accountability and Global South 5. DFR Lab. (2021, January 12). Social media disinformation campaign targets Ugandan presidential election. Retrieved from https://medium.com/dfrlab/socialmedia-disinformation-campaign-targets-ugandanpresidential-election-b259dbbb1aa8 6. Dione, N. (2024, February 13). Senegal cuts internet again amid widening crackdown on dissent. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/aheadplanned-march-over-vote-delay-senegal-suspendsinternet-access-2024-02-13/ 7. Fröhlich, S. (2022, September 1). Dictators in Africa using social media to cling to power. Retrieved from DW: https://www.dw.com/en/dictators-in-africa-using-socialmedia-to-cling-to-power/a-60360543 8. Nanfuka, J. (2018, July 1). Uganda Blocks Access to Social Media, VPNs and Dating Sites as New Tax Takes Effect. Retrieved from CIPESA: https://cipesa.org/2018/07/ uganda-blocks-access-to-social-media-vpns-anddating-sites-as-new-tax-takes-effect/ 9. Nanfuka, J. (2018, April 16). Uganda’s Social Media Tax Threatens Internet Access, Affordability. Retrieved from CIPESA: Uganda’s Social Media Tax Threatens Internet Access, Affordability 10. Netblocks. (2023, July 1). Social media restricted, mobile internet cut in Senegal amid political unrest. Retrieved from Netblocks: https://netblocks.org/reports/socialmedia-restricted-and-mobile-internet-cut-in-senegalamid-political-unrest-W80QkaAK 11. Nyagaka, E. O., & Ongere, B. M. (2025). From Online and the Streets to the Corridors of Power: Gen Z Protests and the Promotion of Social Justice in Kenya. ISRG Journal of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, III (IV). Retrieved from https://isrgpublishers.com/wp-content/ uploads/2025/07/ISRGJAHSS1001352025.pdf 12. Opanda, C. (2025, May 14). https://www.kenyans.co.ke/ news/112042-court-orders-communications-authoritykenya-not-shut-down-internet. Retrieved from https:// www.kenyans.co.ke/news/112042-court-orderscommunications-authority-kenya-not-shut-downinternet 13. The Independent. (2020, December 16). Google requires court order to delete YouTube channel-Africa spokesperson. Retrieved from https://www.independent. co.ug/google-requires-court-order-to-delete-youtubechannel-africa-spokesperson/ Democracy Caught in A Power Struggle Between Platforms and Politics 141