Region: Africa | Page 3 | Journal of Democracy

President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to cling to power above all else, and he has launched a new effort to extend his reign. But, if they act fast, there is still time for Zimbabwe’s opposition and the international community to stop him.

Why Mali Is at a Dangerous Crossroads

Alexander Noyes

Mali’s spiraling security crisis puts its entire region at risk. A return to democracy will be key to preventing the country from becoming a terrorist safe haven in West Africa.

Ethiopia Is About to Hold Another Sham Election

Muktar Ismail

Ethiopia’s elections are more like performative rituals than democratic contests. But these hollow exercises are becoming more dangerous as the country stares down a series of looming threats.

Africa’s Critical-Mineral Boom Needs Democratic Guardrails

In Africa, the race for critical minerals isn’t just about supply chains and industrial strategy. It underscores the need to build democratic institutions to govern the new mineral rush while protecting citizens’ rights.

Why African Publics Turn to Military Coups

Africans don’t want military rule. They want generals to rid them of bad leaders, and then return to the barracks. But once in power, military leaders often have other ideas.

African Coups and the Elite-Forces Trap

U.S. counterterrorism strategy across West Africa is quietly increasing coup risk—here’s how Washington can both better fight terrorism and prevent coups.

Tanzania Will Never Be the Same

Dan Paget

Tanzania’s October election was a sham. When people rose up in protest, the regime responded with a brutal crackdown. That reign of terror marks a turning point for the country, and there is no going back.

Cameroon’s Election Casts a Long Shadow

Christopher Fomunyoh

Cameroonians just reelected the 92-year-old Paul Biya in an election that voters rightly view with suspicion. The tensions under the surface don’t bode well for the country or its people.

Has Tanzania Reached Its Breaking Point?

Dan Paget

President Hassan promised Tanzanians freedom, transparency, and reform. Instead, she has delivered repression, violence, and arrests as she bars anyone who dares challenge her.

How Zambia’s Cyber Laws Rebrand Repression

Wiriranai Brilliant Masara

The hope was that President Hakainde Hichilema would bring much-needed reform and openness. Instead, he has ushered in new laws that are silencing dissent and free expression.

Why Kenya’s Gen Z Has Taken to the Streets

Judy Mbugua

The country’s young people are no longer willing to accept politics without accountability, and the government’s repressive crackdown is only fueling their movement. Gen Z is reshaping the future of Kenyan democracy.

Kenya’s Shaky Handshake Deals

Alexander Noyes

The country has a long history of power-sharing deals that are sealed with a handshake. The truth is that this type of political bargaining typically does more harm than good.

How a Pastor Found the Courage to Defy a Dictator

Evan Mawarire

Evan Mawarire never thought of himself as a revolutionary. In a gripping new memoir, he tells the story of how he went from a humble clergyman to the leader of a movement that helped the Zimbabwean people find their voice.

The Pitfalls of Power Sharing

Alexander Noyes

People are calling for a so-called unity government to stem the violence in Mozambique. But there is a better way to set the country on the right course.

Botswana’s Misunderstood “Miracle”

Samuel Anim

The country’s 2024 presidential contest was a big surprise, as voters elected a new party for the first time. Despite decades of dominant-party rule, a strong democratic culture has long been ingrained in Botswana.

Why Ghana’s Election Matters Across Africa

John Chin

The West African democracy is one of the continent’s most enduring, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s a bulwark for democracy beyond its borders.

Senegal’s Remarkable Win for Democracy

In February, the West African country appeared to be on the cusp of chaos as its president tried to seize power for himself. How Senegal became one of 2024’s biggest democratic success stories.

What Burkina Faso’s Tragic History Teaches Us

Ten years after the revolution, the lessons for protecting a budding democracy and guarding against violent extremism are clear.

South Africa’s Watershed Election

Peter M. Lewis

The ANC lost its majority for the first time, but populist forces were held at bay.

Democracy Wins in Senegal

Rachel Beatty Riedl

The president wanted to remain in power, but the people’s demands prevailed in the end.

Africa’s Leaders for Life

The continent’s aspiring dictators are attacking term limits with a vengeance, finding new ways to avoid handing over power. But citizens are overwhelmingly against it — and can help keep their leaders in check.

South Africa Has Entered a New Era

Ongama Mtimka

The African National Congress can no longer call all the shots, and opposition parties will have more sway. Will this lead to a more inclusive democracy or gridlock and division?

Standing Up to Africa’s Juntas

A string of Kremlin-backed military coups have brought a collection of juntas to power. The West should resist calls to placate them, and instead stick to its values and push for a return to civilian rule.

The Demise of Senegalese Democracy

Bamba Ndiaye

President Macky Sall has called off his country’s presidential election just weeks ahead of the vote. His unconstitutional decree will not only keep him in power, but threatens to throw Senegal into violent chaos.

Electoral Systems and Democracy

This book compares the experiences of diverse countries, from Latin America to southern Africa, from Uruguay, Japan, and Taiwan to Israel, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Democratization in Africa: Progress and Retreat

At a time when democracy seems to be in retreat in many parts of the world, Africa presents a more mixed picture. Democratization in Africa: Progress and Retreat brings into focus the complex landscape of African politics by pairing broad analytical surveys with country-specific case studies.