Does Africa Need Democracy ? Or is Military Rule the Answer?

Has the shine come off democracy in parts of Africa? The continent's latest crop of military leaders seem to be enjoying immense popularity, like Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso. So are Africans prepared to live under the rule of soldiers? Or is there another way?

I speak to GILLES YABI, CEO and founder of the WATHI, the West Africa Citizen Think Tank and independent political analyst MARISA LOURENCO. We explore what could be behind the recent spate of military takeovers in Guinea, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Gabon and ask whether democratic forms of government have had their day on the continent.

Both GILLES and MARISA are keen to point out that Africa is not a monolith - each country has had its own distinct circumstances that have led to military coups.

Asked why these young coup leaders appear to be so popular, MARISA explains it's because they represent a break with the status quo which had failed to deliver prosperity and security.
GILLES makes the point that several of the countries that have experienced military coups are experiencing severe insurgencies often by violent Islamist groups.

We are reminded that Afrobarometer polls regularly reveal that a majority of those surveyed are in favour of democratic governance but often feel their own government is falling short.

We also consider whether the ruling parties that have come to power after waging an armed struggle, particularly in southern Africa, have managed to transition into parties that uphold democratic values of rule of law, strong institutions and individual freedoms.

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