'Elections fail in bringing democracy to Africa'

UNDP says Africa has failed to bring democracy and good governance to the continent

By Manelisi Dubase
The United Nations (UN) Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Democratic Institute say elections in Africa have contributed to stability, but failed to bring democracy and good governance to the continent. The organisations say much progress has been made to conduct free and fair elections in African nations but more still needs to be done.

Countries such as Zimbabwe and Eritrea were specifically mentioned as culprits in this regard. "Autocrats are manipulating the constitutions of their countries and the electoral processes to keep themselves in power," says the National Democratic Institute spokesperson, Chris Fomunyoh. At least 31% of recent elections on the continent are described as either flawed or not representing the will of the people.

Meanwhile, the UNDP blames journalists in sub-Saharan Africa for failing to use the existing freedom of the press in their region. However media organisations like Journalists without Borders and the Washington-based Newseum argue that only seven out of 53 countries in Africa have press freedom.