Counts, Courts and Coups!
Plus: Call for submissions
You have probably heard of and watched the critically acclaimed "How to Become a Tyrant," the 2021 Netflix docu-series. However, this year has revealed the possibility of yet another playbook: "How to Stay in Power Indefinitely." A brief look at the state of politics and governance across Africa will reveal some key steps to take; exploiting resources for the political elite, state capture, performative elections and more!
In the last week of August, citizens of the Central African country Gabon found themselves subjected to a curfew and in the middle of an internet blackout following a contentious election marked by voter delays. Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, late into Saturday evening, Emmerson Mnangagwa, leader of the Zanu PF party which has ruled the country for 43 years, was announced as the winner of the harmonised elections that took place on the 23rd of August also marred by voter delays and intimidation. The main opposition party opposed the result, while other parties stated it was a flawed and illegitimate process.
A week later, Gabon's President Bongo, whose family has governed the country for 56 years, was ousted in a widely celebrated coup, if images on the internet are to be believed. In Zimbabwe, there is no jubilation for the winners; rather, life moves on quietly as the nation looks to find out if the opposition will take their challenge to the courts.
If you have been paying attention, you will know that the above is not specific to Gabon or Zimbabwe. Since the beginning of the year, the value and feasibility of democracy in Africa have been put to the test, starting with the Nigerian election in February, which one X (formerly Twitter) user described as a "democratic coup," and most recently, the civilian-celebrated coup d'état in Niger in June.
For this week’s reading, while you ponder why democracy doesn't seem to stick in African countries, we delve into our archives to share our favourite features by young Africans on how to solve the democracy issue.
WRITE FOR US
What we would like to read:
Fresh perspectives that engage with social, economic or political issues affecting a specific African country or the continent as a whole. Articles should be focused - discussing a single issue or idea in clear and concise manner, within the thematic issue (where applicable), solution-driven and provide practical recommendations to issues highlighted, where possible.
What we do not want read:
generic analysis of issues; articles that are only problem-focused without proposals or recommendations on how to solve such problems; academic works that are technical and difficult to understand and term papers or coursework essays.
Submit pitches or completed articles to editors@thecontinentalapproach.com