Pragmatic Strategies of Separatist Movements in Framing Democracy and Governance in Africa

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the pragmatic strategies used by separatist movements in Africa to frame democracy and governance, focusing on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria and the Ambazonian movement in Cameroon. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Speech Act Theory, the research explores how these groups employ assertives, directives, and commissives to construct ideological narratives, delegitimize state authority, and mobilize support. The data consist of seven excerpts each from four full-length addresses: two speeches by IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and two broadcasts by Ambazonian leaders. In each, rhetorical framing, victimhood narratives, and resistance discourse are strategically deployed to justify demands for self-determination. The study highlights how these movements manipulate democratic ideals and governance failures to strengthen their legitimacy. By analyzing their linguistic choices and discursive patterns, this research provides insights into the role of language in separatist struggles and its implications for political stability in Africa.