People across Latin America are demanding greater political participation. Some countries, including Colombia and Chile, have responded by involving citizens in the making of their constitutions.
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (C) and Ghana’s founder and first President Kwame Nkrumah (L) during the formation of the Organisation of African Unity.
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How Swapo and the ANC respond to any further decline in electoral support will define the future of democracy in both countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes President of Chad’s Transitional Military Council Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, in Paris, in 2021.
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Expulsion of the German ambassador could be a way of warning other embassies, especially France, to steer clear of Chadian politics and support for the opposition.
Loyalists of the ANC’s Radical Economic Transformation (RET) at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
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Despite its vagueness, the RET has become central to the contemporary ANC. It is destined to remain a powerful bloc within the party, and a constant constraint on Ramaphosa leadership.
Americans vote In the 2022 midterm elections on 8 November.
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Despite America’s deep divisions, the electioneering showed democracy’s resilience. This should be a boost for democracy advocates across Africa.
Demonstrators protest in Tunisia’s capital Tunis in 2021 against President Kais Saied’s steps to tighten his grip on power.
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Peddlers of dangerous ideas regarding the constitution should be reminded of what was done in the name of a legislative majority under apartheid.
Graffiti in Ouagadougou reads “Compaore, you’re the thug!” It appeared a few days after President Blaise Compaore stepped down.
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Big tech is increasingly capitalising on opportunities to consolidate their power, raising constitutional questions about legitimacy, rights and democracy in the digital age.
Countries that adopt ethnic recognition go on to experience less violence, more economic vitality, and more democratic politics.
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On average, countries that adopt ethnic recognition experience less violence, more economic vitality, and more democratic politics.
Failure by local government to provide basic services has led to protests around South Africa. Now, some residents are resorting to self-help.
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
South Africa needs a way to incorporate active citizens within the prevailing constitutional and legal structures, so as to strengthen all levels of government.
Chief Research Specialist in Democracy and Citizenship at the Human Science Research Council and a Research Fellow Centre for African Studies, University of the Free State
Senior lecturer in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Malawi and Research Associate, Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town