Africa, why not a democracy yet?

In Africa there are 22 dictatorships. Another 22 countries are partially free, that is, hybrid regimes in which democratic elements coexist with authoritarian ones. There are only ten nations that are democracies: Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. It should be noted that the South African country has been running a democracy for 25 years in a row after the end of apartheid and that, although problematic, it is genuine. During the past year, the fall of Omar al Bashir in Sudan or Bouteflika in Algeria shows that the start of democratization is possible. However, the reaction of the forces that oppose these advances is very strong and presents itself as a brutal handicap to those who seek to give a political turn to their country.

Africa has always been a country with dictators and its colonial past also influences today. Furthermore, it must be understood that the vast majority of countries gained their independence in the 1960s, just 50 years ago, and it is difficult to expect the development of democratic systems as we understand them in European countries. Democracy is not consolidated in Africa for one reason: democratization without liberalization. Many countries introduced multi-party systems, that is, democratized political competition but without reforming state institutions to adjust to the new political model. We are facing an institutional framework that is still largely authoritarian and confirms that for now, it is a mirage.

There is a lack of governance capacity, a thin quality of electoral democracy and neopatrimonialism. In the same way, and it has been commented previously, “Winner takes it all” system makes it difficult for political opposition to participate in state institutions, there are multiparty elections, but single party state structures, and these is not a real democratic governance. Some authors claim the creation of an African democracy based on the pre-colonial governance systems ruled by consensus and democracy without social and economic development is not a source of stability. The political elite is not committed to true democratization as a matter of principle. They take steps forward only to appease popular demands and retain the support of their contributors, but then take steps to reverse democratic progress, in order to protect themselves from their competitors. The elites that are in opposition demand democratization as an opening wedge to gain power, but once they arrive, they paralyze the process.

Although many countries have had limited infrastructure and wealth, and a history of colonialism and social division, they have made progress in reaching the democratization they deserve. They have to keep betting big.