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Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. These four countries experienced coups about three years ago, overthrowing the elected regimes. For many observers, this “death blow” has led to a dramatic decline in democracy in these countries, despite the current leaders advocating a paradigm shift, fighting poor governance and corruption, combating terrorism and repositioning the country on a sustainable development track. In its 2024 report titled “Democracy in Danger – The People’s View”, the independent African research network called “Africabarometer” reviewed the views of citizens today on military regimes that enjoy popular support.
Distrust of constitutional limits on power, poor governance, massive corruption, terrorism, etc. are all evils that undermine Africa. Since 2020, in some countries in this part of the world, the military has overthrown elected governments, dragging many people into their actions, which are increasingly seen as a radical break with the system that has always kept Africa in a state of instability. “Indicators of democratic and accountable governance provided by elected leaders have either declined over time, such as presidential respect for courts and parliaments, or stagnated at very low levels, such as equal treatment before the law,” the report states on page 4.
Despite this reality, support for democracy remains strong in 39 African countries, at least according to the report. “In fact, two-thirds (66%) of Africans say they prefer democracy to any other system of government. Strong majorities reject dictatorship (80%), one-party rule (78%) and military rule (66%). However, support for democracy has fallen by 7 percentage points in the 30 countries surveyed regularly over the past decade, falling by 29 points in South Africa and 23 points in Mali. Opposition to military rule has fallen by 11 points in the 30 countries, most notably in Mali and Burkina Faso (down 40 points and 37 points, respectively). More than half of Africans (53% in 39 countries) would be willing to accept a military takeover, assuming elected leaders abuse power for their own benefit… Despite this, support for elections has fallen by 8 points in the 30 countries, with the vast majority still believing that this is the best way to choose leaders,” the report states on page 5.
In terms of democratic provision, 45% of Africans consider their country to be a full democracy or a democracy with some minor problems, while 37% say they are satisfied with the functioning of democracy in their country. “Across 30 countries, these two indicators have fallen by 8 and 11 percentage points respectively over the past decade. Satisfaction with the functioning of democracy has fallen sharply in some of Africa’s largest democracies, notably Botswana (-40 points), Mauritius (-40 points) and South Africa (-35 points).
Note also that other indicators of democratic supply also show at least a slight decline in the quality of elections and the accountability of presidents before parliaments and the courts. “Given the importance of citizen support to the survival of democratic projects, these results highlight the urgent need to restore confidence in the ability of African governments to ensure democratic and accountable governance,” the report states.
Erwan Compaore
Lefaso.com
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