2025 has been a challenging year for democracy across Africa, with coups, contested elections, and protests highlighting the continent’s governance struggles.
In Tanzania, police shot demonstrators protesting what they saw as a rigged election, resulting in President Samia Suluhu Hassan being re-elected with 98% of the vote amid opposition suppression. Similarly, Cameroon saw long-term leader Paul Biya, aged 92, secure an eighth term, sparking youth-led protests demanding greater political accountability.
Military influence also expanded in West Africa. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso broke from the ECOWAS bloc, consolidating power after coups, while Guinea-Bissau experienced another successful military takeover. Meanwhile, Madagascar witnessed youth protests that forced the cabinet to resign before the president was ultimately deposed in a coup.
Despite these setbacks, some nations demonstrated peaceful democratic transitions. Malawi’s Peter Mutharika returned to the presidency after a period in opposition, Seychelles’ United Seychelles party regained power, and South Africa’s African National Congress entered a power-sharing government following its first loss of majority since 1994.
Analysts highlight a generational and geopolitical divide. Africa’s young population increasingly demands accountability and access to services, while many governments maintain authoritarian tendencies. Global powers, preoccupied with crises elsewhere, have reduced pressure on African states to uphold democratic norms, giving leaders more room to consolidate power.
Experts stress that the continent’s future governance hinges on responsiveness to young citizens’ demands. “Africa’s youth has become its demographic majority. If we listen to them and respect their rights, the coming years can mark a real turning point,” said Mo Ibrahim of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
As Uganda prepares for elections in January 2026, the continent faces continued uncertainty, with the potential for both further unrest and opportunities for meaningful democratic engagement.
