(4 minutes read)
- Elections in Africa are playing out in a mixed manner. While Southern African country Zambia had a peaceful and democratic passing over of the levers of power, some of the Sub-Saharan countries had a different story to tell
- Military takeovers and wide protests against the ruling regimes are widely reported. In East Africa, Ethiopia witnessed massive bloody protests and even boycott of election by a large section of people. In North Africa, Algeria, Libya etc are also in the grip of turmoil and uncertainty as they move towards the forthcoming elections.
Elections in Africa are playing out in a mixed manner. While Southern African country Zambia had a peaceful and democratic passing over of the levers of power, some of the Sub-Saharan countries had a different story to tell. Military takeovers and wide protests against the ruling regimes are widely reported. In East Africa, Ethiopia witnessed massive bloody protests and even boycotts of elections by a large section of people. In North Africa, Algeria, Libya etc are also in the grip of turmoil and uncertainty as they move towards elections.
In the meantime, 2022 will also witness elections in a few other countries including Chad, Gambia, Lesotho, Libya, and Sierra Leone. There can be likely elections in countries like Angola, Kenya and Senegal in the coming months, if everything goes well. One may wish the elections in these countries should go as scheduled and in a peaceful way. Any disruptions to the democratic process would lead to either military takeovers, manipulation of elections, or large- scale violence and turbulence. These are anti-thesis of democratic process.
Experts feel that most of the countries going to elections have their share of problems that can circumvent the smooth election process. For instance, in Kenya, the court overruled as unconstitutional an arrangement hammered by president Uhuru Kenyatta and his arch rival and major contender of presidency Raila OdiIn for power sharing between president and the prime minister under the banner of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). This was intended to allow power-sharing between the president and the prime minister, disregarding constitutional norms.
Since Kenyatta’ cannot seek another term because of the court direction, the front runners are former vice-president William Ruto and long-time opposition leader Raila Odinga. Another important drag on democracy is the public apathy towards elections. Public is refusing to register for elections. This is evident in a few countries.
Another country- Senegal- is expected to conduct local and legislative elections in 2022. The paradox is that majority of the sitting mayors -550 in number- are supposed to have left power in 2019. But, still they are serving due to the postponement of municipal elections.
It may not be a smooth sailing election for countries like Angola, where incumbent João Manuel Lourenço of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola seeks a second term after he took over in 2017 from José Eduardo Dos Santos, who had been in power for nearly four decades. Lourenço faces opposition from a new coalition, the United Patriotic Front. Though the president’s trump card could be that he recovered over US$3 billion stolen from the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the economic recession, poverty, and inequality have been the country’s biggest concerns. No one can predict what will be the impact of these imponderables on his winning prospects.
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