The pandemic seems to have destabilised not only the economic foundations but also the political landscape of many African countries. The erosion in the democratic values is plainly evident across sub-Saharan Africa.
Regular elections are the hallmark of a democracy, and extremely significant for fledgling democracies of Africa. Even before the pandemic, a number of African heads of state demonstrated an increasing tendency to manipulate term limits or rig elections to cling to power. The pandemic struck at a critical time when many of the African countries were gearing up for elections. Several authoritarian regimes alleged to have used COVID -19 as a pretext to postpone elections and hold on to power. Such charges had surfaced from countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Senegal etc. Indeed, these have to be verified and proved. Ethiopia’s June 21 parliamentary, regional state council and local elections were rescheduled twice since August 2020. Some political analysts feel that it was one of the reasonsthat triggered conflicts in the northern Tigray region. As a key player in the Horn of Africa and the second most populous country in the continent, Ethiopia was progressing towards democracy. The charges that the East African country is regressing towards authoritarian tactics, if proved right, could be a body blow to the fledgling democracy in the continent. .
Tunisia is another example of regression. Today, Tunisia, where the Arab Spring in 2010 erupted, once again finds itself at crossroads. President Kais Saied riding rough shod over the constitution by dismissing the prime minister, dissolving parliament and assuming judicial authority on July 25 is an assault on the fledgling democracy. And yet, developments in Libya to go for elections after years of instability and conflicts is a positive development.
During the last two years of the pandemic, many African heads of state used lockdown to muzzle opposition and unleashed violent crackdowns on pro-democracy protests in the country. Countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, eSwatini etc witnessed widespread arrests of government critics, social media blackouts, and internet clampdowns and media restrictions. Power has changed hands by force through coups, wars, or deals between elites in countries such as the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, and South Sudan, and recently Guinea.
Freedom House, the non-profit, non-governmental organization that primarily conducts research and advocacy on democracy, in its latest report states that the pandemic has been a major setback for democracy across the world. The number of African countries in the “not free” category, it said, has grown from fourteen in 2006 and 2008 to twenty in 2021. In sub-Saharan Africa, it rated only eight countries as ‘free’. Out of this eight, half are small island states: Cape Verde, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles. The others are Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, and Namibia.
High levels of economic and social development and strong government institutions are imperative to ensure political stability and democracy. Countries such as Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, and Namibia that have been classified as ‘free’ enjoy these benefits. For instance, in Ghana’s 2020 election, former President John Mahama, who rejected his defeat in elections, accepted the verdict of the country’s Supreme Court and upheld incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo’s victory. Similarly, former South African President Jacob Zuma, is now on trial for corruption.
Malawi stands out as a bright spot amid the political gloom. Freedom House, rates Malawi as the only country globally whose democracy strengthened during COVID-19 lockdown .It is the first African country to nullify a fraudulent election through legal means and conduct a free and fair election. The recent elections in Zambia is a bellwether, so also boldness demonstrated by the African Union to take punitive actions against countries erring democratic institutions.
Experts point out that to sustain a democracy, a sound foundation of a political culture and strong institutional support are needed. Lack of this heritage, coupled with religious and ethnic rivalries, corrupt police and army who act as coterie of elites have undermined African democracies. To quote the former U.S. President Barack Obama’s words “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions”. There is a dire need for Africa to partner and protect each other. The collective strength of the continent to ensure legitimate rule and a commitment to the principles of the constitution is the best antidote to political instability. Only through this approach, can Africa seek solutions to its political, economic and social maladies.
