Democracy and Elections in Contemporary Africa - THISDAYLIVE

  • 📰 THISDAY LIVE
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 106 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 46%
  • Publisher: 51%

Nigeria Headlines News

Nigeria Latest News,Nigeria Headlines

Democracy and Elections in Contemporary Africa via thisdaylive

I was here in 2015 to speak at the Oxford Africa Conference on “A Continent on the Move: People, Politics and Business Across Borders.”

As a historian, the temptation is great for me to begin my exposition from the theories on the ‘state of nature’ by the great thinkers, Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau as they apply to the social contract and the beginnings of governance in human society.In my allotted time of 30 minutes, I will carry out a brief discourse on current developments in respect of democracy and elections in Africa and hope to have the opportunity to expatiate more in the Question and Answer session.

Elections are therefore an exercise of the people’s right of choice as to who their leaders at various levels of governance should be, often for a period of time defined by law. Constitutional rule replaced military dictatorship, elections became the norm rather than the exception, respect for human rights and freedoms, an expanded media space all became the trend to follow.

Removal of subsidies last December shot-up the price of bread, a staple food item in Sudan. Spontaneous protest beginning in Atbara quickly spread. In Gambia, strong man Yahaya Jammeh eventually had to go into exile, following initial attempts to challenge the result of an election that had given victory to his opponent, Adama Barrow.

This is a departure from the predecessor, Organization of African Unity Charter of 1963, which embraced the doctrine of non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States. The democratic spring in Africa has impacted positively on many African countries. Over the last decade, average GDP growth in many countries has ranged between 4 and 6%.

Average life expectancy has improved. Widespread use of vaccinations has seen a significant drop in under-five mortality and many children are surviving and thriving.As the Chairman of the Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa, I had the privilege last week in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, to present a summary of the report on the State of Peace and Security in Africa.

▪ As game-changers in many respects, youth activism and visa liberalisation are making the free movement of people, goods and services across the continent easier.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 14. in NG

Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

South Africa: struggling 25 years after apartheid.......Twenty-five years after the end of white-minority rule, South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world and is held back by corruption..
Source: vanguardngrnews - 🏆 5. / 75 Read more »

South Africa: The Struggle Continues 25 Years After ApartheidSouth Africa: The Struggle Continues 25 Years After Apartheid. Hmmm
Source: channelstv - 🏆 7. / 63 Read more »

Abuja-Kaduna highway most dangerous in Africa, says SenateThe Senate Wednesday labeled the popular Abuja-Kaduna highway the most dangerous in Africa due to the activities of kidnappers and armed... If u people know this then why dont u do something abt it and make it d safest in Africa.
Source: TheNationNews - 🏆 6. / 69 Read more »

South Africa ANC Takes Early Lead In Election ResultsSouth Africa ANC Takes Early Lead In Election Results.
Source: channelstv - 🏆 7. / 63 Read more »

We've confidence in South African elections - JonathanThe head of the election observer mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), former President Goodluck Jonathan unlike that of Nigeria
Source: TheNationNews - 🏆 6. / 69 Read more »

Africa Must Raise Taxes To Fight Climate Change Better, By Léonce NdikumanaThe impact on public finances is even more worrying in Africa, where corporate taxes represent 15.3 per cent of government revenues.
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

South Africa: Ruling ANC Remains Ahead in Election Results - Premium Times NigeriaSouth Africa's Electoral Commission results were showing the African National Congress in the lead, with just over 57% of the vote.
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

Victory In Sight For ANC In Closely-Watched South Africa PollVictory In Sight For ANC In Closely-Watched South Africa Poll.
Source: channelstv - 🏆 7. / 63 Read more »

I am sure if Igbo, their Yoruba brothers come together, Africa will unite - Onni - Vanguard NewsSequel to the mixed reactions trailed his declaration age-long relationship between the Yoruba natives and the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria, Ooni vanguardngr Sorry oni Africa or Nigeria? Becauss wat I'm seeing from some African country not even consern Nigeria talkles of igbo or yoruba problem. Eejoo vanguardngr Subtle message? Is Ooni calling for a reunification to fight the menace of foreigners in our place of power? DrJoeOdumakin AfenifereRG OfficialPDPNig AIT_Online realFFK renoomokri DeleMomodu adeyanjudeji vanguardngr 'Yoruba brothers?' Are you high on something? Using Igbo, Yoruba and 'brothers' in the same sentence?
Source: vanguardngrnews - 🏆 5. / 75 Read more »

As South Africa looked itself in the mirror – Daily TrustSouth Africans went to the polls yesterday (May 8, 2019) in the country’s sixth democratic elections since 1994. Some say the elections were the country’s biggest since the end of White minority rule 25 years ago. The Apartheid system of White minority rule, which became official state policy in 1948, crumbled after a long and …
Source: Daily Trust - 🏆 13. / 51 Read more »

South Africa counts votes as Ramaphosa’s ANC looks set to retain power – Daily TrustSouth African elections officials counted ballot papers early on Thursday, a day after a vote seen as the toughest test yet for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), 25 years after it swept to power at the end of white minority rule. The elections for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures are the first …
Source: Daily Trust - 🏆 13. / 51 Read more »