Participatory and democratic measures have fallen in most African countries that held elections this year – Report

A report titled “Africa’s 2024 Election Year, Trends and Stories from the 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)” prepared by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has noted that participatory and democratic measures have fallen in the majority of election countries in Africa between 2014 and 2023.

Over the past decade, across the 17 African countries with “scheduled elections”, the 2024 IIAG showed concerning deteriorations in critical participatory and democratic measures.

“Although security and rule of law have shown considerable decline, participation, rights and inclusion are also crucial in driving the continental stagnation in overall governance,” the report said.

It further stated that the world had seen a multitude of countries carry out elections in the past twelve months.

The report indicated that from the United States to India to South Africa, hundreds of millions of citizens cast their votes and headed to the ballot boxes, within vastly different political contexts.

For some, it said, these elections had been contested, others had ushered in new leaders, while many saw the continuation of ruling parties.

2024 has been a major election year in Africa too, it said.

At the beginning of the year, 17 African countries were scheduled to hold presidential or general elections.

With four postponed elections in Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan and Guinea-Bissau, 13 countries held elections in 2024, the last one being Ghana on 7 December.

“In seven countries incumbent leaders won elections: Algeria, Chad, Comoros, Mauritania, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia. In six countries new leaders were elected, seven including self-declared Republic of Somaliland.

“A historic four transfers of power took place in Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius and Senegal, five including self-declared Republic of Somaliland,” the report said.

 

The report however

You can read the full report here 

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