As more and more countries face democratic challenges, Senegalese journalist Ousmane Ndiaye explores the myths surrounding democratic backslides in Africa and warns of the risks ahead in his newly-released book, "Africa against democracy: myths, denial and dangers".

Johannesburg

African nations are experiencing a significant democratic regression, marked by a recent wave of military coups and the rise of autocratic regimes. According to Senegalese journalist Ousmane Ndiaye, whose book explores these issues, both military and elected leaders in several countries have undermined democratic institutions, often maintaining the appearance of democracy while restricting freedoms.

Despite these challenges, Ndiaye identifies growing civic engagement, especially among the youth, as a hopeful sign. In countries like Togo, recent protests against entrenched rulers demonstrate that citizens remain determined to claim their rights and shape their political future.

From military coups to elections: Where is African democracy heading?

Failed revolutions, military coups and unfair elections. In many African nations, observers are denouncing an alarming democratic backslide. But why is this the case? And what risks is democracy facing? These are the questions Senegalese journalist Ousmane Ndiaye asks in his book released last week in French, Africa against Democracy, Myths, Denial and Dangers. We are currently observing a quite unprecedented democratic regression because disputing democracy is openly accepted today. In the Sahel, in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, the alliance of Sahel states, we are seeing an explicit and official rhetoric of rejecting democracy in all these three countries. Since 2020, the continent has seen nine successful military coups, with most of them taking place in West Africa. But not only such military regimes reject democracy, according to Ndiaye. Elected leaders like Kai Seyed, president of Tunisia, have also taken to repressing freedoms and using democratic appearances to disguise their autocratic regimes. On paper, the institutions are democratic. There is a parliament, a national assembly, an independent electoral commission, but de facto nothing in the way they operate is democratic. But Ndiaye also sees a reason to be hopeful. I think the element of hope will be the population's capability of taking charge. For me, hope is the awakening of the citizens. By citizens, I don't only mean having an ID, an electoral card, but citizenship in terms of being aware of one's rights and duties and seizing the possibility of exercising them. Autocratic regimes and brutal military juntas have made popular uprisings difficult in many countries. But in some, like Togo, the grip on power of long-term rulers has recently seen vivid protests from citizens. At the forefront is the young generation, determined to fight for its future.

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