Africa: Will Africa’s Most-Regarded Democracies Meet Their Citizens’ Expectations in 2016? – There has been an explosion in the number of African elections since the “fourth wave” of democratisation began in the early 1990s. In March 2016 alone, Africa will see elections in “advanced” democracies in Benin (presidential), Cape Verde (legislative), and Tanzania (regional) as well as a constitutional referendum in Senegal.
While elections may represent progress, many are considered to be of questionable quality, appearing to be mere “rubber-stamping” exercises intended to legitimise and further entrench incumbents.
Uganda’s elections in February, for example, extended President Yoweri Museveni’s tenure for another five years (he has been in power since 1986) amidst allegations of vote fixing and voter intimidation and a confirmed shutdown of all social media on request of the country’s electoral commission. The African Union Election Observer Mission’s preliminary assessment describes the elections as “largely peaceful” and highlights only procedural deficits, such as the late delivery of materials.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/201603230858.html Africa: Will Africa’s Most-Regarded Democracies Meet Their Citizens’ Expectations in 2016?
