24/09/2013
IS DEMOCRACY DELIVERING IN AFRICA?
Multiparty democracy swept
across Africa in the early
1990s, toppling a series of
one-party and military
regimes. Activists hoped greater
political freedoms and strong
institutions would lead to
more government
accountability - and more
effective development. But two decades later, is this the
case? In some countries, multiparty
democracy is seen as a mirage.
Leaders are accused of
manipulating election results
to legitimise dictatorial rule. Presidents Paul Biya of
Cameroon and Robert Mugabe
of Zimbabwe have both been
in power for more than 30
years, despite doubts raised
over how elections have been conducted. Even when elections are
deemed to be free and fair -
does the process equal
democracy? What happens in
the period between ballots? Can Western-style multiparty
democracy work alongside the
difficult nuances of African
politics - with ethnicity and
religion often taking the place
of political ideologies, as far as voters and parties are
concerned? Is democracy delivering for
Africa? What are the
alternatives? And what needs
to be done to ensure a greater
realisation of the democratic
project in the future?
