Russian influence in Nigeria, Regime change in Bangladesh, Riots in the UK, and Ukraine turns the tables


Key news and views on democracy at home and abroad

RENEW DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

AUG 15

If you’ve been distracted by domestic politics over the past couple weeks, it’s understandable. Kamala Harris launched a US tour met by throngs of enthusiastic Americans; named her VP pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz; and has begun to see national polls shifting in her direction.


But amid all this stateside political intrigue, the rest of the world has witnessed protests, regime change, and corruption in some unusual places. Unrest has been more the norm than the exception this summer. If you’ve missed it, never fear: we cover it all in this issue to get you up to speed. —Melissa Amour, Managing Editor

Who’s really behind Nigeria’s protests?


Nationwide protests across Nigeria this month are ostensibly to decry the rising cost of living and “bad governance.” But the presence of protesters waving Russian flags and chanting pro-Putin slogans in the country’s northern cities suggests there may be something more afoot.


First, it’s important to note that Nigeria’s protests are widely organic, with similar themes as other protest movements across the globe this year. They began in response to soaring costs of food and transport, a bleak situation that has helped push more than 10 million Nigerians into poverty, according to the World Bank. Protesters blame the crisis on the policies of President Bola Tinubu.


But far be it from Russia to let a good crisis go to waste. In recent years, Russian operatives have been busy spreading pro-Russia propaganda on social media in some African countries, and Russian flags have been spotted among protesters throughout the continent. And then there’s this:

“The policies that are being implemented by the Bola Tinubu government have the backing of Western countries, especially the institutions of [the International Monetary Fund] and World Bank. So, when people in an organic manner endear themselves to Russia, it is perhaps an indication that they’re not happy with the policies that were supported by those countries.” —Kabiru Adamu, security analyst and managing director of Beacon Security and Intelligence

Western nations, including the US, have said Russia’s influence could set back democratic progress in Africa. Taking no chances, Nigerian authorities have warned the protesters that raising Russian flags is treasonous and cautioned them against staging a coup.

Youth power in Bangladesh


Young people are flexing their political muscles in Bangladesh, where student protests led its long-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to resign and flee the country.


The student demonstrators successfully negotiated with President Mohammed Shahabuddin to form an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.


Yunus was sworn in last Thursday with two goals: restoring law and order after weeks of violent protests and holding elections to replace his caretaker administration with a permanent one.


Meanwhile, Hasina, self-exiled in India, is calling for an investigation of the deaths of hundreds of protesters. The student activists are pointing a finger squarely back at the autocratic former prime minister, claiming she is responsible and demanding she be put on trial.

Thailand party is over


Thailand’s Constitutional Court has banned its most popular political party, Move Forward, for proposing to amend the law against defaming the country’s royal family. The court ruled it was a violation of the constitution, but is it just blatant political retribution? Yup, pretty much.

“While certainly a shake-up for Thai politics, this ruling is also just the latest example of Thailand’s powerful conservative establishment—an informal coalition of royalists, the military brass, and other elites—targeting a party that threatens its power.” —World Politics Review

That’s not all. The Constitutional Court has also dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for supposed ethics violations, creating more political uncertainty in a country with a long history of it. But the bombshell court decisions are expected to have the reverse effect, by increasing calls for reform rather than quelling them.

Stay up-to-date and discover ways to participate as we fight to protect democracy.

Fake news, real violence


The UK has witnessed its worst riots in over a decade in the wake of a knife attack that resulted in the deaths of three young girls on July 29.


Fueled by false claims on social media about the identity of the attacker as an Islamist migrant, the protests took a violent turn. British authorities have arrested more than 1,000 people following weeks of arson and looting as well as racist attacks against Muslims and migrants.

“Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with pledging ‘no letup’ in legal action against rioters, has promised that people will be prosecuted for their actions online — and a handful have been convicted of inciting racial hatred. But there’s seemingly little the government can do to hold accountable the social media platforms themselves. These riots, xenophobic outbursts turbocharged by technology, were only a matter of time. The truly scary thing is how little we can do to stop them.” —Hibaq Farah, technology reporter and columnist

Ukraine turns the tables


Ukrainian forces are advancing further into Russia’s Kursk region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.


In the week since the start of its surprise cross-border incursion, Ukrainian forces have gained control over nearly 400 square miles of Russian territory, captured enemy soldiers, and destroyed a Russian fighter jet.


“Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and is ensuring the exact kind of pressure that is needed – pressure on the aggressor," Zelensky said. The aggressor isn’t taking it very well. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed a “strong response,” but skeptical Russians won’t unsee their leader’s weakness and lack of organization.

“War is hell, but no one should be surprised that Russian civilians in Kursk face a greater threat to safety and property from Russian forces than Ukrainian ones. Putin’s undisciplined army was sent to loot, murder, and die in Ukraine. Now, in Russia. He could not care less. Beyond immediate military objectives, this bold Ukrainian incursion exposes the fragility of Russia’s defenses and regime.” —RDI Chairman Garry Kasparov

Election threats: 2024 edition


As we approach the final stretch of the 2024 campaign, government watchdog group Common Cause is tracking instances of voter intimidation, harassment of election workers, and continued misinformation and disinformation campaigns that could threaten the integrity of the November poll.


Even some schools, which have long served as polling places, are opting out this year over concerns about potential violence.


A relatively novel threat is voter roll purges. These attempts to clean up outdated registration lists are taking place in Arizona, Ohio, Wyoming, and other states. But voting rights experts warn there are serious flaws. Overzealous officials have been known to accidentally purge eligible voters, and systems can also be hacked, as recently happened in Georgia. Our advice? Double-check your registration.

Hey Topline readers, you remember the drill. We want to hear your reactions to today’s stories. We’ll include some of your replies in this space in our next issue of The Topline. 


Click here to share your take, and don’t forget to include your name and state. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!