The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released a new research brief Reviewing Africa's 2024 Election Year, providing a review of the 2024 Africa election year and a new perspective on the data and narratives, based on the latest Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG).
I wanted to share the Research with you as it includes interesting data on:
- Election Trends in 2024: Out of 17 scheduled elections in Africa, 13 were held. Notable outcomes include democratic power transfers in Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius, and Senegal, signifying a shift in political landscapes.
- Governance Deteriorations: Governance performance declined in most election countries between 2014 and 2023, particularly in critical areas like participation, rights, and inclusion. Security and rule of law were also significantly impacted.
- Participation and Civil Society Challenges: Participation levels dropped in 14 out of 17 countries, with indicators like political pluralism and civil society space shrinking significantly, especially in nations like Tunisia and Burkina Faso.
- Media Freedom and Rights: Media freedom eroded in 15 of the 17 election countries between 2021 and 2023, with severe declines in Burkina Faso, Tunisia, and Senegal, alongside broader deteriorations in rights and democratic measures.
- Positive Democratic Shifts: Despite challenges, democratic gains included increased political alternance, with opposition victories driving governance changes in several countries, reflecting citizens' demands for accountability and reforms.