Wars and coups are slowing down democracy in many African countries, according to a new global report.
The Global State of Democracy 2025 report, published by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), studied how democracy performed in 173 countries in 2024.
It found that many African countries are now less democratic than they were five years ago.
The biggest drops were seen in elected governments, credible elections, and effective parliaments.
According to the report, West Africa recorded the highest number of declines in democratic performance between 2019 and 2024.
Countries like Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger were all taken over by military juntas after coups. These military governments promised to return power to civilians, but they have repeatedly delayed elections and extended their transition periods.
This has left unelected leaders and parliaments in place, weakening the checks and balances that democratic systems rely on.
The report says 23 African countries showed major declines in at least one of three key areas: elected government, credible elections, and effective parliaments.
Twenty of these countries are affected by coups, armed conflict, or ongoing political instability.
Freedom of the press has also declined in almost one in four African countries.
In Burkina Faso and Mali, restrictions increased after military takeovers, while in Senegal, the drop is linked to tighter regulations on journalists and media outlets.
The report warns that war is one of the main reasons democracy is falling behind in Africa.
Armed conflict destroys public infrastructure like schools, courts, and parliament buildings. It also forces governments to focus on security rather than building democratic systems.
Fighting often breaks down trust between citizens and the state. It creates fear and makes it harder to protect basic rights like free expression, voting rights, and equal treatment under the law.
Sudan is a clear example. The country was expected to move towards democratic rule, but civil war has stopped the transition completely.
The conflict has caused serious ethnic and gender-based violence, and millions of Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes.
Most are displaced within Sudan, while others are seeking safety in neighbouring countries.
Many face harsh conditions, for example, some Sudanese refugees have been deported from Egypt, and others have been attacked in South Sudan during local unrest.
Most African countries remain low performers
The report shows that most African countries are still ranked in the low-performing range for democracy.
This means they score poorly in areas like credible elections, strong parliaments, and protection of basic rights.
Only a few countries have moved in the opposite direction. South Africa improved in credible elections after the 2024 national polls ended the African National Congress’s 30-year majority and created the country’s first national coalition government since 1994.
Botswana also recorded progress, holding its first change of ruling party since independence in 1966, a peaceful transition that strengthened confidence in its electoral system.
However, these positive examples are rare. In most other countries, conflict and coups are pushing democracy backwards rather than forwards.
Analysts say that unless instability is brought under control, many African countries will struggle to build stronger democratic systems or protect citizens’ rights in the years ahead.
