By John Kerry

Washington, DC — Last May, I shared in an extraordinary moment. I had the privilege, together with many leaders from across Africa, of bearing witness to the first peaceful, democratic transition of power between two parties in Nigeria.

I traveled to Lagos earlier this year to emphasize that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner with a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of the region. I also said that it was imperative that these elections set a new standard for democracy across the continent.

There is no question that this is a decisive moment for democracy in Africa. Later this month, four countries – Guinea, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Central African Republic – are scheduled to hold presidential elections, and soon after we hope to see elections in Burkina Faso. People across Africa must seize this opportunity to make their voices heard; and leaders across the continent must listen.

The challenges are real. For decades, poverty, famine, war, and authoritarian leadership have held back an era of African prosperity and stability.

These and other challenges should not be underestimated, but neither should we ignore the gains that are being made.

In Africa, as elsewhere, there is a deep hunger for governments that are legitimate, honest, and effective. We should have no doubt that progress in democratic governance will lead to gains in every other field about which we are concerned.

In Burkina Faso, brave and determined citizens twice asserted their will in successfully opposing efforts to curtail the democratic process: last year, when the former president sought to alter term limits and extend his 27 years in office; and again last month, when Burkinabes rallied against a failed attempt to seize power by elements of the Presidential Security Regiment.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have seen citizens speak out, sometimes at great personal risk, to push for transparent, timely, and credible elections.

And we have seen that same hunger for democracy outside of Africa. Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Panama all recently held inclusive, well-organized elections that brought new leaders to power and strengthened democratic institutions.

The challenge in Africa’s upcoming elections is to meet this demand for democracy and live up to the standards that Africans expect and deserve. The countries scheduled to go to the polls vary widely in their history and circumstances, but each has an opportunity to enhance its democratic credentials and advance economic growth and shared prosperity.

Côte d’Ivoire can put a difficult and violent election in 2010 firmly in its past and resume its position as a regional leader.

Tanzania is preparing for its fourth transition of power between elected Presidents since independence. By respecting the Tanzanian constitution’s two-term limit and stepping down from office, President Jakaya Kikwete is creating a dynamic and healthy competition among potential successors.

Guinea is emerging from the scourge of Ebola, but its citizens are also calling for an electoral process that allows their voices to be heard.

Meanwhile, the transitional government in Burkina Faso is working towards cementing its commitment to democracy through timely and transparent elections.

Elections are vitally important, but make no mistake: elections cannot be the only moment for citizens to shape their future. People must be able to engage with their government and with their fellow citizens in political discussion and debate not just on Election Day, but every day.

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Thirty-three out of Africa’s 54 countries have shown improvements in the way they are governed over the last four years, research has found.

But the researchers behind the Ibrahim Index of African Governance say progress “is stalling”.

The index measures changes in development, human rights, security and economic opportunity.

Mauritius and Cape Verde are the top-ranked countries, and South Sudan and Somalia are at the bottom of the index.

The Sudan-born mobile phone magnate Mo Ibrahim, who funds the research, said that it is hard to make generalisations because “Africa is not a country”, and the research reveals huge differences within the continent.
Overall, Ivory Coast has shown the most improvement since 2011 as it moved away from the conflict that was sparked by a disputed election the year before.
Top five-ranked countries

Mauritius
Cape Verde
Botswana
South Africa
Namibia

South Sudan, the world’s newest country, has shown the greatest deterioration in governance – in part because of the civil war which began in December 2013.

Zimbabwe is also listed as a country which has shown big improvements over the last four years, but nonetheless is ranked 44th on the continent.

Ordinary Zimbabweans told the BBC’s Brian Hungwe in the capital, Harare, that they were surprised to hear that things were improving, despite the political situation becoming more peaceful.

“That’s totally outrageous,” one man said, “people are suffering because of the economy and there is not enough food on the table.”

Among other countries, Ghana is ranked seventh on the index, with a small decrease in its score for governance, Ethiopia comes 31st, with an increase in its score and Nigeria came 39th, also with an increase.
Bottom five-ranked countries

Eritrea
Sudan
Central African Republic
South Sudan
Somalia

Looking at the continent as a whole, Mr Ibrahim did have concerns about the pace at which things are changing.

He said, while launching the index, that Africans are “healthier and live in more democratic societies” compared to 15 years ago but “recent progress in other key areas on the continent has either stalled or reversed”.

He added that this was “a warning sign for all of us”.

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