Trust, however, has been fragile. Conflicting casualty figures undermine confidence in official communication. When independent organizations present dramatically higher numbers, citizens are left to navigate competing claims. In the absence of transparent investigations, suspicion grows. Families of the deceased seek acknowledgment and accountability, not only symbolic gestures.
The leader’s emphasis on forgiveness suggests an attempt to heal divisions without opening the door to legal reckoning. By portraying most participants as misguided rather than malicious, he created rhetorical space for reconciliation. Yet reconciliation typically involves truth-telling and recognition of harm. Without a shared understanding of what occurred, forgiveness may appear premature.
The long-term implications of the Dey protests remain uncertain. Periodic unrest in subsequent years indicates that underlying tensions persist. Each wave of demonstrations builds upon previous experiences, shaping collective memory. The way the state interprets and commemorates past protests influences how future dissent will be perceived and managed.
