CDD: Africans against incumbency syndrome

Gradually but steadily, Africans are embracing modern democracy and outrightly denouncing all forms of autocratic rule which curtail individual freedoms. The greater number of the people of the continent thinks that democratic institutions such as multi-party politics which allows competitive elections should be open, transparent and fair to enable the citizenry have real choice of who governs them.

An Afrobarometer survey conducted in three separate rounds with a total of 56,000 citizens made up of twelve countries in West, East and Southern Africa is just enough to represent the views across the continent. The Afrobarometer is an independent, non-partisan survey research project conducted by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa, Centre for Democratic Development (CDD ? Ghana) and Michigan State University.

The survey report which will be officially launched today simultaneously around the world include base of evidence on important topical social, economic, and political conditions prevailing in Africa.

According to the report, over ninety percent of Africans dislike autocracy in general and in particular condemn African leaders who prefer to aver stay over the stipulated tenure of office as spelt out in their constitutions.

Of all, the greatest threat to the consolidation of new democracies is one-man rule and the desire to perpetuate oneself in power. But the survey strongly suggests that Africans appear to have grown intolerant of perpetual incumbency syndrome. This is evident when in the last eight years there have been four controversial attempts to amend constitutions in favour of elected incumbent Presidents ? only Sam Nujoma of Namibia succeeded.

However, majority of Africans are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in their countries with particular reference to quality of elections. The report cites Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe where the citizens said their most recent elections were either ?not free or fair,? or ?free and fair with major problems.?

Significantly, of the myriad problems confronting the people, unemployment is of topmost concern followed by its attendant twin-sister, poverty. Education, however, is relegated to the bottom on the development agenda.

According to Prof Gyimah Boadi, CDD Ghana Executive Director, the report focuses on Africa on a whole range of issues that concern Africans and how they see their government?s efforts in tackling them.