Term limits evasions undermine democratic governance

Friday, December 22, 2023 | 30 Views |

Term limit evasions are at the root of a host of governance dysfunctions in Africa and are linked to higher levels of autocracy, corruption, conflict, and propensity for coups. Extra-constitutional extensions of power have shaped the contours of Africa’s governance landscape in recent years.

It is disheartening to state that leaders of 14 African countries have held onto power for more than two terms after evading term limits. This continues a pattern of term limit evasion observed since 2015, reversing an evolving trend of term limit adherence between 2000 and 2015.

Another eight African countries have endured military coups that suspended or disrupted their constitutions since 2015.

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