The 1990s began with an unprecedented democratic opening in Francophone Africa. While a number of countries have suffered setbacks and even reversals, others continue to make progress, and popular aspirations for democracy remain strong.
About the Author
Christopher Fomunyoh, who holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. in political science from Boston University, is senior associate for Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and adjunct professor of African politics and government at Georgetown University.
The decision by Uganda’s leaders to abandon the country’s “movement” system and adopt multiparty pluralism creates a significant opportunity for democratic progress.
The encrypted messaging service WhatsApp has become an increasingly important tool for “fake news” in Nigeria, while weakening government control of information and broadening opportunities for political participation.
Five years after the close of a horrifying civil war, Sierra Leone held the freest elections in its history. Voters turned out the party that had overseen the war's end,…
