IFES has supported democracy's emergence and consolidation throughout sub-Saharan
Africa since 1989. From its start conducting a groundbreaking series of pre-election
technical assessments, IFES' Africa program portfolio today features activities
in elections, rule of law, civil society and governance.
Thirty-one of 43 sub-Saharan African nations have received assistance from
IFES. IFES’ current sub-Saharan programs focus on third and fourth-generation
elections, sustainable professional election administration, improved governance,
post-conflict transition, the rule of law, political finance and electoral
access for citizens with disabilities. Over the course of the 1990s, IFES witnessed
the growth of a cadre of experienced local institutions, organizations and
individuals, many of whom now hold an expanding partnership role in future
IFES programs.
Current Projects
Angola
In April 2005, a new electoral law was passed establishing an electoral commission whose first task will be to oversee voter registration. Civil society organizations have begun to organize and participate in the political process, calling for transparency and participation in elections and governance.
Angola Home
Burundi
After a long civil war during which some 300,000 people have been killed since 1993, Burundi completed the last step of the transitional period outlined in the peace plan signed in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2000. Its presidential election—held August 19, 2005—ended the three-year transitional period. Burundi faces the challenges of maintaining stability and building political institutions that allow its democracy to grow stronger.
Burundi Home
Djibouti
IFES began work in Djibouti in 2005, with a pre-election assessment prior to presidential elections that year. Since that time, IFES has worked in the areas of electoral reform and decentralization. IFES’ work in Djibouti is funded by USAID.
Djibouti Home
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country. While it was briefly colonized by the Italians under Mussolini, it has been relatively free from the coups that have disrupted politics elsewhere in Africa. However, as one of the continent’s poorest states, its politics have often been disrupted by famine, drought and war.
Ethiopia Home
Guinea
Participants in an IFES civic education project at a school for the deaf.
Located in West Africa, Guinea has a population of approximately 8 million people, 51% of whom are women and 45% under the age of 30. Once a French colony, it was the first African country to gain independen…
Guinea Home
Kenya
Kenya functioned as de facto a one-party state from 1969-1982 when the ruling Kenya African national Union (KANU) assumed the role as official sole party. Opposition unsuccessfully pulled KANU from power in both the 1992 and 1997 elections. In 2002, Mwai Kibaki of the National Rainbow Coalition group ran an anti-corruption campaign and defeated the KANU party candidate to assume the presidency.
Kenya Home
Liberia
IFES has worked in Liberia since 2001, when it conducted a pre-election assessment. Since that time, IFES has worked with election officials to improve their capacity to hold free and fair elections and to monitor political expenditures during the elections process.
Liberia Home
Nigeria
IFES and its partners are supporting Nigerian institutions in deepening the roots of democracy in this important West African country.
Nigeria Home
Sierra Leone
Since 1999, IFES has conducted various activities designed to improve the ability of Sierra Leone’s National Electoral Commission to conduct effective, free and fair elections. These activities include assessing the country’s electoral infrastructure, advising the commission as it restructured, helping improve the voter registration process and assisting as the commission created a consultative committee composed of political party representatives.
Sierra Leone Home
The Democratic Republic of Congo
Past Projects
Uganda
IFES first began its work in Uganda in 1994, when it facilitated a post-elections evaluation seminar at the request of the Electoral Commission. Since that time, IFES has provided assistance to the Electoral Commission and conducted a survey of citizens' views about democracy and their government.
Uganda Home
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