As International Day of Democracy was celebrated on September 15th, many assessed the state of democracy around the world. Looking back at democracy in Africa since most sub-Saharan African countries gained independence 50 years ago, it is evident that democracy on the continent has endured a faltering journey. Some countries have missed out on democracy altogether, living under two or three life-serving autocrats since independence or suffering from repeated coups d’état. Others appeared to move in the right direction before experiencing debilitating setbacks. Many countries, however, have made remarkable strides toward democratization, serving as beacons of hope that prove democracy can work in Africa. All of these countries, the democratic and the less so, deserve attention and support, whether in paving the way for democratic development or in solidifying tentative gains.
Autocratic Holdouts
For a number of countries in Africa, representative democracy has never been on the agenda. Cameroon’s President Biya, for example, has been in power since 1982, and Cameroonian opposition parties are widely believed to have no real chance of gaining power. Overall, nearly ten countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have had the same ruler for over 20 years. Even such nondemocratic countries, however, can achieve incremental democratic progress. For example, in 2008, Angola held its first election in 16 years, demonstrating voters’ desire to put a history of civil war behind them. The growth of civil society in many countries presents an additional potential force for positive change.
Democratic Setbacks
Dominating the headlines out of Africa in the past few years have been the few dramatic failures of democracy. Nigerian elections in April 2007 were widely viewed as flawed, resulting in the victory of the outgoing president’s handpicked successor in the face of unheeded calls for the nullification of results and numerous overturned legal challenges. December 2007 elections in Kenya were also manipulated in the incumbent’s favor, causing a nationwide political, economic, and humanitarian crisis resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 people. Most recently, Zimbabwe’s June 2008 runoff presidential election was characterized by a total suppression of civil liberties, widespread and brutal political violence, and ballot box stuffing, drawing international condemnation. The restoration of these people’s faith in democracy and trust in government will require long-term reconciliation and reform.
Success Stories
Despite these setbacks, Africa also boasted several successful democratic transitions in recent years. For example, Liberia’s first post-conflict elections in 2005 and Sierra Leone’s first elections in the absence of peacekeeping troops in 2007 both proceeded remarkably peacefully and were hailed as generally free and fair. Moreover, these elections saw Liberians vote into office Africa’s first female president and Sierra Leoneans peacefully transfer power between parties for the first time. More recently, Ghana’s hotly contested 2008 presidential election affirmed that country’s position as one of the continent’s most successful democracies as the opposition party candidate won the presidency and his opponent gracefully conceded defeat. These success stories provide hope for the future of democracy in Africa. However, care must be taken that this hard-earned progress not be taken for granted but further solidified and advanced.
By Albert Trithart, Program Associate, Africa