How to Fight for Democracy in the Shadow of Autocracy | Fatma Karume | TED
In the TED Talk titled “How to Fight for Democracy in the Shadow of Autocracy,” Fatma Karume shares her personal journey of standing up for democracy in Tanzania, a country that transitioned from authoritarian rule to a multi-party democracy in 1992. Despite the facade of transitional democracy, she quickly realized the reality of autocracy under the presidency of John Pombe Magufuli.
Karume, a lawyer and former successful businesswoman, faced intense persecution and threats from the government for speaking out against the erosion of democracy and human rights. She recounted incidents of office bombings, shootings, arbitrary arrests of friends and colleagues, and the loss of her livelihood due to state pressure.
Despite the risks and personal sacrifices, Karume continued to fight for democracy through Twitter, creating an online platform called the Twitter Republic where like-minded individuals could voice their concerns. She faced censorship, intimidation, and loss of her legal profession, but remained steadfast in her commitment to defending democracy and the rule of law.
Karume emphasizes the importance of collective action in defending democracy, whether living in a full democracy, transitional democracy, or autocratic regime. She urges individuals to band together, speak out, and work towards safeguarding democratic values in the face of authoritarian threats. Karume’s inspiring story highlights the resilience and power of individuals to fight against oppression and uphold democratic principles.
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Video “How to Fight for Democracy in the Shadow of Autocracy | Fatma Karume | TED” was uploaded on 05/22/2024 to Youtube Channel TED