Are elections in Africa eroding trust in democracy?

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Elections in Africa are meant to strengthen democracy, yet in recent years they have often triggered unrest and mistrust in countries like Tanzania, Cameroon, Mozambique, Cote d’Ivoire, and Guinea. In Cameroon, President Paul Biya secured 53.66% of the vote, extending his decades-long rule, but allegations of ballot stuffing and opaque vote tallying sparked protests. Experts say incumbents dominate electoral processes, turning them into rituals of legitimacy rather than genuine choices.
Afrobarometer data shows declining faith in elections and rising voter apathy—non-participation climbed to 24.7% in 2023. Young Africans demand transparency and even digital voting, but without reforms such as independent electoral bodies and fair representation, democracy risks collapsing from within. Can Africa restore trust in its democratic systems before it’s too late?
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