From Paris to Kathmandu to Washington, the flames of anger, dissatisfaction, and disillusionment with governance are spreading rapidly and widely, accompanied by the thick smoke scent of mistrust, failed leadership, and broken promises.
Recently, we have witnessed unsettling images and news: massive protests roiling France as citizens rail against economic inequality and unpopular reforms; demonstrations shaking Nepal, a fragile democracy that continues to struggle with deep political fractures; and the shocking murder of conservative commentator Charles Kirk in the United States, a country already drowning in toxic polarisation.
These events, diverse in geography and context, are nonetheless tied together by a single thread: people all over the world are restless, frustrated, and increasingly willing to take matters into their own hands when leadership fails to deliver. There is fire on the mountain and political leaders everywhere should pay close attention or run!
A Global Pattern of Discontent
France has long been a crucible of popular revolt, from the storming of the Bastille in 1789 to the yellow vest protests of recent years. Yet the current wave of protests underscores a deeper, more dangerous sentiment: a society exhausted with governance that feels distant and unresponsive. Ordinary citizens complain of rising living costs, widening inequality, and government policies that seem more attuned to elite interests than the struggles of working families.
The French street is not just rejecting pension reforms or new taxes; it is demanding respect, accountability, and fairness. If France, with its robust institutions and long democratic traditions, finds itself in flames, what then of less stable political systems?
Thousands of miles away, Nepal’s young democracy is gasping under the weight of repeated political instability. Since the end of its monarchy and civil war, Nepali citizens have longed for a politics that would prioritise development, opportunity, and unity. Instead, they have endured endless party squabbles, short-lived governments, and weak economic stewardship.
The protests in Nepal by young people (Gen Zs) reflect a generation that feels cheated by leaders who treat governance as a game of power rather than a solemn duty. Unemployment is high, corruption rampant, and public services remain threadbare. Citizens are left disillusioned and angry.
Perhaps the most shocking of all is the fatal shooting of Charles Kirk in the United States. While Kirk was a polarising figure, his killing is emblematic of a country that has been pushed to the edge by years of divisive rhetoric, political extremism, and a culture of hate that festers both online and offline.
The U.S., often hailed as the world’s democratic beacon, has become a cautionary tale of how unbridled polarisation can eat away at a nation’s soul. Citizens are no longer just disagreeing; rather, violence has become an almost predictable outcome. The killing of a commentator, regardless of his views, signals that America’s democratic discourse has crossed a dangerous line.
What we are witnessing is the culmination of a politics that has turned away from the pursuit of the common good and instead embraced the weaponisation of identity, ideology, and fear.
The Rude Awakening Leaders Can no Longer Ignore
France, Nepal, and the United States may seem worlds apart, but the issues are strikingly similar: economic hardship, weak trust in leadership, broken social contracts, polarisation and exclusion. Ordinary people feel squeezed, left behind by globalisation, technological change, and policies that prioritise corporate interests. Citizens doubt that their leaders have their best interests at heart, seeing governments as corrupt, self-serving, or captured by elites.
Divides along class, ethnicity, religion, or ideology are deepening, often exacerbated by leaders who exploit rather than bridge them. When governments repeatedly fail to provide security, opportunity, and fairness, disillusionment morphs into rage.
This is the rude awakening: politics must shift from self-preservation to people-centred stewardship. Otherwise, citizens will occupy the streets of Paris, Kathmandu, or Lagos. They will reject empty speeches and challenge symbols of authority. And if leadership continues to falter, they may turn to darker, more desperate measures.
This is not just about politics; it is about survival. For too long, leaders have acted as though their positions were thrones rather than trusts. But people everywhere are waking up and their message is simple: enough is enough.
Lessons For Nigeria and Africa
The lesson for leaders worldwide, and especially across Africa, is stark: the era of governing by neglect and arrogance is over. Citizens today are not passive subjects; they are active agents, armed with social media, mobilised networks, and a growing sense that they deserve better.
For those of us observing from Africa, these global events hold sobering lessons. Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and many others are not immune to the same pressures of inequality, corruption, and dissatisfaction. In fact, we live daily with protests, strikes, and insecurity that mirror the global wave of unrest.
South Africa grapples with violent protests against unemployment and corruption. Kenya has seen mass demonstrations over new tax regimes. Sudan, Mali, and Burkina Faso illustrate how fragile states can collapse entirely when governments fail to meet the aspirations of their citizens.
Here in Nigeria, the warning signs are not unfamiliar. Our country has witnessed its own fires in recent years, from the #EndSARS protests of 2020 to the #EndBadGovernance protests of 2024. The current wave of economic pain caused by subsidy removal, inflation, and a naira in freefall has left millions disillusioned.
Many Nigerians, like the French and Nepali protesters, feel that governance is distant and indifferent. Citizens wake up each day to rising food prices, erratic electricity supply, insecurity, and a lack of opportunities for young people. Meanwhile, political elites appear more focused on jockeying for power, appointments, and privileges than on solving the urgent problems of the people.
This is a wake-up call for Africa’s leaders. We cannot continue to run our countries on outdated models of patronage, corruption, and disregard for citizens’ voices. In a hyper-connected world, people see how others live, demand more from their governments, and mobilise quickly when disappointed.
The World Needs Good Stewardship
What then must leaders do? The answer is deceptively simple but politically difficult: return to the basics of stewardship. Leaders must listen to the people, prioritise equity, build trust through integrity, bridge divides and deliver results.
Governance begins with humility. Leaders must listen, not just to elites or advisers, but open their ears and hearts to the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens. The farmer, the factory worker, the unemployed youth, these voices matter. Policies must address inequality, ensuring that prosperity is shared rather than concentrated. A system that leaves the majority behind will eventually collapse.
Corruption is the greatest thief of hope. Leaders who betray public trust and plunder public wealth poison the very foundation of democracy. Integrity must be non-negotiable. Societies are plural, and leadership must heal rather than exploit differences. In multi-ethnic, multi-religious societies like Nigeria, inclusivity is not optional; it is survival. Citizens care less about rhetoric and more about schools, hospitals, jobs, and security.
The fire is spreading. France’s protests, Nepal’s unrest, and America’s tragedy are not disconnected episodes; they are signposts of a world on edge. They reveal the anger of citizens who feel abandoned, the dangers of polarisation that corrodes trust, and the urgency of leadership that truly serves the people. For us in Nigeria, they are also mirrors, reflecting what could happen if we continue to ignore the cries of the people.
