However, within this category, increasingly populist governments are suppressing opposition groups, postponing elections, eliminating term limits, and abusing human rights to maintain power. Yet, if a witchs brew of jihadi terrorists, criminal networks, and the disaffected destroy sitting governments, the human rights consequences certainly will be worse than the status quo. Power is obtained and passed on through family connections. The West Is Sending Light Tanks to Ukraine. The #EndSARSmovement was initated by social media-savvyyoung Nigerians, who sought to put pressure onthe government to abolish Nigeria's controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit. They also provide added stability around elections. With a population that is much younger than those of China, the US and the EU, there will be renewed interest in Indias potential to be a beacon of liberal values. Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo said on Friday, It represents a threat to peace, security and stability in West-Africa.. The dictator is the absolute ruler. February 1, 2023 Arab Gulf countries have looked to the Horn of Africa in recent years as they have sought to project power across the region. That, along with the war in Ukraine and global inflation, sent the economy into free-fall. The enforcement of pandemic restrictions by security services has often been brutal, provoking demonstrations in Kenya and even in more advanced democracies such as South Africa. Declan Walsh contributed reporting from Ouagadougou. Return to text. This is a critical point. Where democracy stands in Africa today has myriad influences, including the legacy of colonialism and the emergence of the digital age. Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures, Backgrounder Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan. At his swearing-in, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said he would lead a government that serves, not a government that rules. Many Africans, it seems, stand ready to push for the same from their own leaders and governments. The leaders of dictatorships are not outwardly identified as dictators when other people are addressing them. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. The campaign also calledfor better overall governance in West Africa's largest democracy. We should actually address the political system thats not working.. People celebrating in the streets with members of Guineas armed forces in September, after soldiers toppled Guineas president, Alpha Cond, in a coup detat in the capital, Conakry. The Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary outfit with close ties to the Kremlin, has made inroads across Africa in recent years and has been operating in Sudan since 2017. Other dictators across Latin America also released political prisoners and hastened transitions to democratic elections, a transformation Carter encouraged without sending Americans into combat. by Will Freeman The dilemma remains that Africa is buffeted by immediate security challenges that will not wait for a democratic culture to develop. Gunfire rings out. Those criteria, and their application to a specific locale, are always subject to debate; the score can only be indicative, not definitive. In addition to executive authority, Putin also holds judicial and legislative power, which enables him to change the law to fit his agenda. In March 2021, Magufuli diedhis death was attributed to heart disease but was likely brought on by COVID-19. A political rival accused Obiang of cannibalism in 2004, but no evidence to support the claim has ever surfaced. Unless it is swiftly ended, the conflict will become a multi-level game with regional and some international actors pursuing their interests, using money, arms supplies and possibly their own troops or proxies, he wrote. In 2021, social media shutdowns also took place in Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Senegal, Congo, Zambia, Chad, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan. Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces that grew out of Darfurs notorious Janjaweed militias, are each seeking to seize control of Sudan. Renewing America, Backgrounder Cairo has reached out to both sides in Sudan to press for a cease-fire but is unlikely to stand by if the military faces defeat. Unfortunately, democracy is still shaky in many countries, a number of which are fighting violent religious insurrections, and the likelihood of any fallen dictator being quickly replaced by another dictator is high. What is more, despite growing frustration with the way that multiparty politics is performing, on average democracies generate higher economic growth and do a better job of providing public services, according to a study at the US's Cornell University. Anyone can read what you share. Yet Rwanda is the exception rather than the rule. Meanwhile, the number of African countries that Freedom House rated not free has grown from a low of fourteen in 2006 and 2008 to twenty in 2021. ', MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Trevelyan relative 'would consider' famine payment, Four dead after suspected pigeon racer dispute, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants. by CFR.org Editors [33] This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. Ultimately, said Ms. Schmauder, Military powers are kind of there to stay, and doing everything to cement their own power.. Supporters of a military Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) North Korea. In general, the lack of accountability that occurs under dictators and military juntas leads to greater corruption and less effective economic policy. By 2009, two-thirds were considered free or partly free.. - Council on Foreign There are currently 22 dictators in Africa, some worse than others. Social media is becoming another tool of oppression.". Dictators often employ illegal and/or immoral methods to maintain their power and control, including the use of secret police, indefinite arrests, and concentration camps. The RSF will want to interrupt major transport arteries including the road from Port Sudan to Khartoum.. Five African Countries. June 2, 2022, Stopping Illegal Gun Trafficking Through South Florida, Blog Post In March 2021, there was a failed coup attempt in Niger, then in September 2021, it was Guineas turn: A high-ranking officer trained by the United States overthrew a president who had tried to cling to power. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. January 29, 2021 at 5:00 a.m. EST. An observer signs a paper marking the closing of the polls at a polling station in Mekele during Tigrays regional elections in September 2020. In many cases, though not all, new military leaders end up delaying the return to civilian rule. Such turmoil will grow as elites compete for power and citizens resist oppressive regimes, and will, in turn, inhibit social and economic development, to the disadvantage of the continents rapidly growing population. Mr Cond had also become increasingly authoritarian in the months leading up to the coup, jailing and exacting violence against his political opponents and anti-government activists. Countries are responding to the World Health Organization (WHO) call to action by putting into place best-practice TFA policies. WebOne-party dictatorships became prominent in Asia and Eastern Europe during the Cold War as communist governments were installed in several countries. It has been endowed in perpetuity through a gift from CFR members Malcolm and Carolyn Wiener. Far from being a short-term Sudanese problem, this conflict between two rival centres of military power illustrates a common long-term problem in Africa. Read about our approach to external linking. Denis Sassou Nguesso took power in 1997, and has remained the president of the Republic of Congo. In 2021, social media shutdownsalso took place in Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Senegal, Congo, Zambia, Chad, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan. According toanalysis by the Oxford Internet Institute, the spread of misinformation driven by political organizations on social media has been sharply on the rise in recent years. by Lindsay Maizland and Eleanor Albert Eswatini. A look at what is happening and the impact it could have outside Sudan. Political instability can manifest itself in severe episodes of violence, as is already being seen in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Back in Uganda,the government in the capital Kampala has also been trying to make itharder for Ugandans to get independent information online by imposing taxes on mobile data. Why African Nations Support U.S. Anti-Racism Protesters. Again, the Eswatini is currently ruled by king Makhosetive III Dlamini since 1986. Secondly, while the term "dictatorship" is widely understood to include inherent abuse of powerthere is arguably no such thing as a benevolent dictatorhistory offers several examples of autocrats who tried to do what was best for their people. You are also agreeing to our. There were four successful coups in Africa in 2021 there hadnt been that many in a single calendar year since 1999. Human rights activist Opiyo says that with reports like these, it is becoming clear thatthe earlier view of social media as "a liberating force for democracy" is disappearing: "(N)ow we see the dangers associated with it, and how social media can be used to undermine democratic processes. On a similar note, a dictatorship's regular citizens have no voice in most matters. In addition to concerns over growing corruption and rising insecurity, this undermined his personal legitimacy. This means that the ruler or party has complete control. The government also doesn't shy away from temporarily shutting down social media alrogether, as waswitnessed during the run-up to the presidential election a year ago. Opposition figures including Tundu Lissu and Freeman Mbowe have called for a new constitution that limits presidential powers. Despite the fact that hundreds of people have been injured and at least 79 killed, the Sudanese people continue to demand their democratic rights. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, are each seeking to seize control of Sudan, has made inroads across Africa in recent years, removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, has vast livestock holdings and gold mining operations. However, after the January 16 election, Kutesa said the shut-downhad been"a necessary step to stop the biting language and incitement to violence. Facebook alsostatedthat as part of its strategy, the Ministry of Information had been using "fake and duplicate accounts" for propaganda purposes. More broadly, digital repression has become commonplaceespecially around electionsas leaders seek to throttle the opposition and influence popular discourse, frequently through disinformation. The victor of the latest fighting is likely to be Sudans next president, with the loser facing exile, arrest or death. Over the past decade, the Fed kept interest rates low while it deployed trillions of dollars in stimulus and expanded its regulatory oversight. Also called a dominant party dictatorship or one-party state. His wealth is estimated to be approximately $600 million. The terms "autocrat" and "autocracy" are often used interchangeably with "dictator" and "dictatorship". Young peoplein particular, he highlights, are now ablewith the help of the internetto react immediately to laws and bans, and make their opinions known about the performance of the government or of private institutions. In the past 18 months, in similar scenes, military leaders have toppled the governments of Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan and now, Burkina Faso. by Lindsay Maizland Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, and Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario, contributed. Are military takeovers on the rise in Africa? "The spread of fake news is a real problem," said Ugandan human rights activist Nicholas Opiyo in a DW interview. Will They Make a Difference? Most African regional organizations have a stated vocation of promoting democracy. Those who believe that he is a dictator argue that he imprisons his opponents, removed freedom of speechthe press can only publish what he allows them toand has restructured the government to give himself more and longer-lasting power. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach Russia, meanwhile, has long harbored plans to build a naval base capable of hosting up to 300 troops and four ships in Port Sudan, on a crucial Red Sea trading route for energy shipments to Europe. President Hassan has shifted the country toward a more evidence-based approach to COVID-19 and reached out to the opposition. Some said they were inspired by the way the junta in neighboring Mali had stood up to France, the increasingly unpopular former colonial power. All three Sahelian countries with recent coups Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad are grappling with Islamist insurgencies that keep spreading, capitalizing on local tensions and grievances against political elites. The United Arab Emirates, a rising military power that has expanded its presence across the Middle East and East Africa, has close ties to the Rapid Support Forces, which sent thousands of fighters to aid the UAE Economic prosperity, also concentrated on the coasts [PDF], likely has also influenced a positive democratic trajectory. In fact, most dictators adopt common appellations such as "President" or "Prime Minister", so they must be identified via their actions and policies rather than their title. According to Freedom House, Malawi was the sole country globally whose democracy strengthened during COVID-19 lockdowns, after it became the first African country to overturn a fraudulent election through legal means and conduct a free and fair follow-up election. Rwanda is often cited as an example of what a "strong man" can do in the African context - delivering economic growth while reducing corruption. Additionally, the inabilitiesof many governmentsdemocratic in form and partially so in substanceto respond to the security challenges they face underminepopular support for a democratic trajectory. This article was translated from German by Chrispin Mwakideu. 8. when approximately half of the The pro-military sentiment does not extend to Sudan. The sanctions have caused anger, but against ECOWAS, not the junta. In 2021, five sitting African heads of state had been in power for more than three decades each: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Equatorial Guinea, Paul Biya Personal security in many parts of Africa has declined dramatically, in some places because of a jihadi onslaught, in others from criminal gangs, and in still others from ethnic and religious conflicts often exacerbated by self-serving politicians. International powers insist that the military rulers should hold swift elections. The former Head of State says the continent cannot thrive politically, socially, and economically if Africans are subjected to despotism. the military took back full control of the government. Yet, a single defining characteristic for these countries is difficult to pin down. South Africa continues to wrestle with the fallout of Across 11 countries surveyed in both 2008-2009 and 2019-2020, the Four trends stand out: In its 2021 report, Freedom House rated only eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa as free. Not necessarily. However, Twitter deleted this call, and in reponse,Buhari's government banned Nigerians from accessing the micro-blogging site,"Franziska Ulm-Dsterhft, Africa expert atAmnesty International in Germany,told DW. Countries are responding to the World Health Organization (WHO) call to action by putting into place best-practice TFA policies. But while it is tempting to interpret the spate of coups as evidence that democracy in Africa is dying, that would be a mistake. Initial progress was remarkable: In 1989, two-thirds of African states were not free, as measured by Freedom House. Annual Lecture on China. Is climate change killing Australian wine? ", Meanwhile, some governments are even going further and targeting their citizens directly by exploiting their internet affinity:"Spy software is being bought by governments and installed specifically on smartphones,"Amnesty expert Ulm-Dsterhft told DW. The United Arab Emirates, a rising military power that has expanded its presence across the Middle East and East Africa, has close ties to the Rapid Support Forces, which sent thousands of fighters to aid the UAE April 18, 2023, Backgrounder VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules, What Europe's royals could teach King Charles. For some, this was evidence that the African Union has become little more than a weak and biased dictators club. Tellingly, where coups have been seen to usurp processes of democratisation, they have been deeply unpopular. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? But billions of dollars in loans and aid were put on hold after the 2021 military coup. By Greg Miller. Is social media becoming a threat to democracy on the continent? Both Twitter and Facebook accusethe Ugandan government of using social media asa tool politicians to manipulate public opinion, spread disinformation, and intimidate the opposition. People are fed up with their governments for many reasons major security threats, relentless humanitarian disasters and millions of young people having no prospects. They are also less likely to experience damaging conflicts and to commit widespread human rights abuses. But in Sudan, as in other resource-rich African nations, armed groups have long enriched themselves through the shadowy trade in rare minerals and other natural resources. The International Criminal Court eventually charged al-Bashir with genocide. Despite repeated promises to leave office in 2024 (when his term limit is reached), Putin spearheaded a 2020 constitutional amendment enabling him to remain in power until 2036. When necessary, a dictator may also make an effort to replace or amend the nation's constitution to empower, enrich, or otherwise benefit the dictator and his/her allies to a greater degree. "If it did, it was punished. Dictatorship has no future in Africa, former president, John Agyekum Kufuor has said. Crowds gathered in the main plaza in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on Tuesday, a day after the military announced their takeover on state television. Nonetheless, the index provides an objective standard and vocabulary with which to assess and compare personal freedoms across Africa. Protesters in Bamako wave Malian and Russian flags during a May demonstration in Bamako against French influence in the country. COVID-19 has also dramatically redirected Ethiopias political landscape deeper into authoritarianism. What can Africas foreign friends do to encourage a democratic trajectory? Littoral states are also, on average, freer than landlocked ones, likely benefitting from increased interactions with foreigners from democratic societiesa factor more important prior to the advent of the digital age. These countries usually have low levels of social development, underdeveloped civil organizations, and weak institutions of government. During a 2009 visit to Ghana, U.S. President Barack Obama famously said in an address to the parliament, Africa doesnt need strongmen, it needs strong institutions. But institution-building requires time and patience. with Heidi Campbell and Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach, Authors Note: Comparing and Quantifying Democracy, Malcolm and Carolyn Wiener Annual Lecture. The second-largest decline in this years report occurred in Belarus, which lost eight points as security forces attempted to crush antigovernment demonstrations triggered by the fraudulent reelection of Alyaksandr This is often done via questionable means, including intimidation, imprisonment (lawful or not), physical violence, or even assassination.

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