FAMReports Opinion Desk | February 2026
Since the era of democratization that began with the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the results of democracy in Africa have not proven it to be the ideal form of government that African men and women should embrace unquestioningly. Unlike church dogmas, democracy was not freely chosen—it was imposed. African states have never truly experimented with any form of governance on their own terms.
Upon independence, African countries were pressured to adopt democracy while allowing some autocratic tendencies for those aligned with capitalist interests. The death of Patrice Lumumba in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the rise of Mobutu Sese Seko demonstrated how European powers were determined to assert their influence over post-independence Africa. This is a classic example of African states adopting democracy at the mercy of European imperialists.
But what good has it done since independence? It is difficult to trace the merits of democracy in a region that has not developed highly industrialized economies. Compared with the Asian Tigers, which achieved rapid economic growth during and after the Cold War, many African states have embraced democracy more fully, yet it has not yielded comparable economic development or social welfare.
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If Western democracies were honest, they would recognize that Libya, which never experimented with formal democracy, provided citizens with higher social welfare and per capita income than some Western countries. This shows that Africa needs passionate, capable leaders who can use public resources to benefit ordinary people.
As a critic of African democracy, I argue that citizens waste public resources on ritual periodic elections, which have become the main measure of democracy. In fragile states, democracy is often impractical.
For centuries, Africans were accustomed to hereditary systems of kingship and chiefdoms, where maximum respect was accorded to those in power. Unlike traditional structures, democracy treats elected leaders as servants of the people—but in practice, African leaders often act as though power gives them authority over resource allocation rather than accountability.
Time and again, African politicians have shown that once in control of public resources, they rarely need to explain themselves. Voters are often swayed by material incentives, creating a transactional relationship between citizens and leaders. Politicians then lavishly spend public funds on personal acquisition, while social services remain underfunded.
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The money spent on elections—from organizing bodies to politicians bribing voters, contributing to funerals, and fundraising—could instead renovate schools, stock medicines, improve healthcare, and develop infrastructure.
While democracy has potential to positively impact society, many principles remain difficult to measure. For example, the concept of a free and fair election lacks universally agreed-upon standards, making African democracy a messy project that often robs citizens of genuine welfare and meaningful choice.
In recent Ugandan elections, candidates showcased financial prowess to secure votes, effectively turning politics into a gamble. Parliament has become a casino where resources are risked for potential gain. Africa’s political system, tested for over half a century, continues to underperform, even as development is preached.
Democracy is a system imposed by the Western world. African states should have been allowed to design political systems compatible with their traditions and culture. The sooner alternatives are explored, the better. Africa remains a politically messed continent.
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