
New Patterns of Mobilization for and against Democracy
Damilola Taiye Agbalajobi
Contact: d.agbalajobi(at)uniandes.edu.co
Associate Professor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife-Ife, Nigeria
Damilola Taiye Agbalajobi is a political scientist and gender specialist with research experience dating back to 2006 at Redeemer’s University, Nigeria. Her scholarly contributions span a wide range of topics, including Women in Politics; Women and Peace building; Gender and Power; Gender and Corruption, Gender and Governance in Africa, Gender and Climate Change, Gender-Based Violence and Sustainable Development, Violence and Women in Election, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. Since 2008, she has won multiple travel grants to present at international conferences on various aspects of politics and developmental studies, including the NRF Tetfund grant, where she serves as Principal Investigator on a project titled the Political Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Lagos and is a faculty member at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
Research project
Democracy at the Precipice? Examining the Mobilizing Factors For and Against African Democracy
Africa’s journey toward democratic governance has witnessed both significant progress and substantial setbacks. Over the past few decades, there was hope that democracy would become more entrenched and resilient across the continent. However, recent events and historical factors suggest that democracy in Africa faces numerous threats, from weak civil societies and ethnic tensions to a rise in military coups. This research aims to critically examine the factors mobilizing for and against democracy in Africa, with the ultimate goal of evaluating the continent’s potential for sustaining democratic governance.
Several factors undermine democracy in Africa, including ethnic tensions and the resurgence of military coups. These developments underscore the fragility of democratic governance across the continent and highlight the pressing need for robust institutions to manage ethnic conflicts and address security challenges.
Civil societies, which played a crucial role in dismantling authoritarian regimes and promoting democratic transitions in the 1990s (Gyimah-Boadi, 1996), have seen a decline in their effectiveness. Initially critical in fostering democratic transitions, many of these organizations now struggle to hold governments accountable or engage citizens in meaningful democratic participation. This weakening of civil societies raises concerns about the future of democratic governance in Africa.
Amidst these challenges, there are emerging positive trends. African youth have become increasingly active in mobilizing for democratic governance. Through the use of social media, advocacy for good governance and accountability, the young population are playing a critical role in sustaining democracy. Moreover, the rise of e-government initiatives, as noted by Kodjo (2022), reflects a broader shift towards digitization in African governance. By leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs), African governments are increasingly engaging with citizens, businesses, and other governmental entities in more transparent and accountable ways.
This study seeks to answer several key questions: To what extent have these factors been prevalent or effective in strengthening democratic institutions and processes in Africa? How have these negative trends impacted democratic stability and governance in Africa? How effective have these positive trends been in promoting democratic resilience and promoting political reform in African countries? What evidence-based recommendations can be made to strengthen democratic governance and resilience in Africa moving forward?
Using a mixed-method approach, the research will combine quantitative data from sources such as Afrobarometer and Freedom House, with qualitative case studies of specific African countries. A comprehensive literature review of academic research, policy reports, and news articles will inform the analysis. Ultimately, this study will provide evidence-based recommendations for reinforcing democracy in Africa and offer insights into the continent’s democratic trajectory. By addressing the critical factors mobilizing for and against democracy ,the findings will contribute to the ongoing debate about the future of democracy in Africa and whether its democratic institutions can be sustained amidst growing challenges.
Keywords: Democratic governance, Civil society, Military coups, Political reform, Good governance