Do Not Blame it on Democracy: a Call for Authenticity

Africans are increasingly dissatisfied with the state of their democratic institutions. Afrobarometer data covering 30 African countries shows only 39% of Africans saying they are satisfied with democracy. A key reason for this dissatisfaction is that the democratic processes initiated across Africa approximately three decades ago have not yielded anticipated benefits such as development, human rights, and the rule of law. Additionally, individual and institutionalized corruption are further eroding citizen trust. 

Recent military coups in several African nations amplify the conversation around democratic practices. A number of analysts argue that military intervention in politics may be closely correlated with the perceived "failure of democracy" associated with the majoritarian, winner-takes-all model prevalent in African democratic systems. 

However, these arguments are broad generalizations about democracy, rather than nuanced evaluations of what democracy entails. The concept of democracy is not to blame for the political turmoil facing the African continent. Instead, the distortion of democratic institutions by political actors has stalled advancements towards genuine democratic practice. Democratic institutions are not being utilized to reflect citizen preferences. Instead, these institutions are being manipulated to serve elite political interests while maintaining claims of ‘democracy.’

To realize true democratic dividends, African nations must advance institutional practices that truly engage and reflect citizen preferences and inputs. 

Perversion of Democracy

In many African countries, citizens' interests are subordinated to politicians' personal ambitions. Democratic practices are reduced to the holding of elections, which are often also manipulated. In Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections, state security invaded the offices of elections observer group and arrested 41 staff working to authenticate the final results. In this example, elections are rituals for politicians to gain power and fail to provide citizens with a platform to elect true representatives, undermining democracy's essence. 

Similarly, many politicians can side-step the rule of law. Corruption runs rampant with many African countries rated at the bottom of Transparency International’s Corruption Index. As a result, trust between citizens and politicians is deteriorating. A recent Afrobarometer survey highlighted a pervasive lack of trust in judicial institutions across Africa. A significant majority of respondents expressed skepticism about the courts' reliability, with nearly half reporting little to no trust in their impartiality. Appointments and promotion of judges in Ghana, for example, are understood by the opposition political parties as attempts to pack party apparatchiks in the courts to favor the ruling party and endorse fraudulent elections. Furthermore, allegations of corruption among judges and magistrates are widespread, with over a third of respondents to the Afrobarometer survey believing that most or all judicial officials were involved in dishonest practices.  

The cumulative effects of flawed democratic practice and corruption create disillusionment and mistrust towards both leadership and institutions. However, Africans still believe in the concept of democracy. African citizens approval for democratic principles and general support for democracy remains high. For instance, 75% of Africans support elections, 73% support government compliance with court decisions, and 73% desire respect for presidential term limits. These are clear commitments by Africans to democratic ideals.  

Rather than not believing in democracy, Africans are dissatisfied with how democracy functions in practice. Support for coups in countries like Burkina Faso and Mali is not a repudiation of democracy, it is a reflection of frustrations with corrupt politicians and stalled institutional practices. Similarly, Kenya’s Gen Z protests centered on calls for more citizen engagement and accountability. These and other examples underscore the urgent need for reforms that can bridge the gap between citizens' expectations and the realities of governance. 

Realizing Authentic Democracy

Democracy must go beyond elections, but free, fair, and transparent elections are essential to rebuilding trust and establishing true representation. Voters need to be presented with clear policy alternatives, provided the opportunity to make informed choices and select representatives without their votes being manipulated. 

Beyond elections, citizens need opportunities to hold representatives accountable. There need to be mechanisms to recall corrupt officials or demand restitution for misappropriated funds. Ensuring the rule of law applies to all, even politicians and wealthy individuals, creates the equality essential in democratic practice. A free media helps to promote awareness and information while taking on a watchdog role. 

Ultimately, these reforms do not occur over night. Democracy is a process as much as it is a set of institutions with the potential to facilitate gradual societal progress towards a state where citizens view government as their collective creation, not the domain of politicians. To achieve reform, however, politicians must be honest about the outcomes and timelines of democratic processes.  

Going forward, there is the need for a concerted effort to reform practices, constitutions, and state structures to align with genuine democratic principles. Expanding citizen engagement beyond elections, securing equal rule of law, combating corruption, fostering civic engagement and activism, nurturing free press, and reducing centralized power are all essential steps that must be taken. If implemented with earnest efforts to advance inclusive democratic practices and ideals, democracy remains Africa’s preferred system of government.