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What is the state of democracy in Africa?

Date: 1st November, 2024

Authors:  George Lmangeyan

Country: Kenya


SUMMARY

Democracy in Africa is a complex mix of progress and setbacks. While some countries demonstrate resilience in building democratic systems, others face serious challenges such as authoritarian rule, electoral manipulation and political violence. This paper helps to understand if democracy is real or an illusion by assessing its success and challenges in Africa. The future of democracy on the continent depends largely on the ability of African nations to uphold democratic values, foster inclusive governance and address socio-economic inequalities while avoiding geopolitical interests and external interventions which sometimes complicate democratic processes.

BACKGROUND

Introduction

While many people believe in the ideal of democracy, others criticise its practical implementation, especially in contemporary societies. This raised the question of whether democracy is real or an illusion making it the subject of debate for centuries.


According to Robert A. Dahl (1971), democracy is a political system that allows for "continued responsiveness of the government to the preferences of its citizens, considered as political equals." For Dahl, democracy entails not only elections but also civic participation and the protection of civil liberties.


Democracy is known to be working when the principles of democracy are put into action. The principles of democracy serve as the foundation for democratic governance, ensuring that power is derived from the people and is exercised in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.


The principles of democracy are realized when citizens hold ultimate authority, equal participation in decision-making, elected officials are accountable to the electorate, legal frameworks protect rights and ensure fairness, Freedom and civil liberties as well as when rights such as free speech and association are safeguarded.


The effectiveness of democracy in Africa is a complex and multifaceted issue. While there have been significant strides in implementing democratic systems across the continent, the success of these systems varies greatly from country to country. Several factors determine how well democracy functions, including governance structures, the role of institutions, political stability, citizen participation and external influences.

International support for democracy through diplomacy, aid, and capacity building has played a role in promoting democratic values. However, geopolitical interests and external interventions sometimes complicate democratic processes.


This is seen where powerful countries or external forces often intervene in the domestic affairs of smaller nations, supporting governments that serve their interests. This undermines the sovereignty of those nations. In the long run resistance against external interventions in domestic affairs is developed which turns into political extremism.


In most cases political extremism spills over into affecting the economy of these countries due to public demonstrations which results to mass violence as well as the destruction of properties. Due to the destruction of infrastructure, other sectors such as transport, education and health are also affected. This results to a failed state especially when this happen in a country long enough to attract rogue individual who set up outposts of their terror organizations. The good examples are Somalia, Libya and Sudan.


In many democracies, structural inequalities such as economic disparity, social exclusion, and systemic discrimination undermine the promise of political equality. While people have the formal right to vote, their actual influence over political decisions may be limited due to their socioeconomic status.


Even in democratic systems political, the power can be concentrated among the wealthy, corporates, or influential interest groups, which can manipulate policies to serve their interests rather than the general public. This is sometimes referred to as oligarchy or plutocracy. Another common observation is that the media is controlled by a few corporates or influenced by political elites, shaping public opinion in ways that support the status quo. This can undermine the democratic ideal of an informed electorate making decisions based on free and open debate.


Situation of democracy in Africa.

Since the early 1990s, many African countries transitioned from authoritarian regimes to democratic governance, with regular elections becoming a norm. Countries like Ghana, Botswana, and Senegal have made significant progress in establishing stable democracies. In other cases, however, elections are marred by irregularities, and democratic institutions are weak. Leaders in countries like Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Burundi have extended their terms through constitutional changes, raising concerns about the erosion of democracy.


Many African countries exhibit characteristics of hybrid regimes, where formal democratic structures exist alongside authoritarian practices. Countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda, though relatively stable and showing economic growth, face criticism for limited political freedoms.


Corruption remains a significant challenge to democracy in many African nations. Weak institutions and lack of accountability can undermine democratic governance, leading to elite capture and exclusion of the broader population from decision-making processes. Even in countries with elections, democratic governance can be undermined by lack of transparency, poor judicial independence, and the overreach of executive power.


In countries facing protracted conflicts or insurgencies (such as Somalia, South Sudan, and parts of the Sahel), democracy has struggled to take root. In such environments, democratic institutions are often overshadowed by security concerns, leading to a dominance of militarized governance and instability.


Citizen Participation has improved especially youth movements and civil society organizations have been instrumental in demanding political reforms and accountability. The country like Tunisia saw significant citizen mobilization during the Arab Spring, which led to democratization efforts.


The same can be witnessed in the most recent case in Kenya where the Gen Z organized demonstration on social media platforms and stormed the streets of Nairobi and other major cities against the finance Bill.


In other parts of Africa, political apathy and low voter turnout are major concerns, as the citizens often are feeling disconnected from political processes due to economic inequality, lack of service delivery, or distrust of the political class hence undermining the relevance of democracy.


Conclusion

Democracy in Africa is still a work in progress. While some countries have made impressive gains, others face significant challenges in ensuring inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance which commonly constitute the principles of democracy.


These principles together create a framework where citizens can participate freely, equally, and meaningfully in the political process while ensuring government accountability, transparency, and respect for individual rights. A functioning democracy requires the consistent application and protection of these principles.


The future of democracy on the continent will depend on strengthening institutions, enhancing citizen participation, and ensuring that governance serves the broader public interest rather than narrow political elites.


The future of democracy in Africa remains uncertain. While there are hopeful signs of democratic resilience and activism, the continent faces persistent challenges related to governance, human rights, and political stability. The commitment of African nations, regional bodies, and international partners to address these challenges will be crucial in shaping the future of democracy in the continent.

REFERENCE

1.      Nic Cheeseman, Nicholas Cheeseman · 2015 Democracy in Africa. Successes, Failures, and the Struggle for Political Reform. https://www.google.co.ke/books/edition/Democracy_in_Africa/JVmtCAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0






6.      Nic Cheeseman, Jonathan Fisher. 2019. Authoritarian Africa Repression, Resistance, and the Power of Ideas. https://www.google.co.ke/books/edition/Authoritarian_Africa/zrFWxwEACAAJ?hl=en


7.      Elly Twineyo-Kamugisha · 2012. Why Africa Fails The Case for Growth Before Democracy. https://www.google.co.ke/books/edition/Why_Africa_Fails/qLNmMwEACAAJ?hl=en




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