MOOC Fridays “Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa

AfricTivists is launching the concept of “Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa Mooc Fridays”. This is a series of webinars on the different themes covered in its distance learning programme. The opening panel will look at the issue of “Term Limits in Africa”. This first online panel is organised this 29th July from 3pm GMT.

Between 2020 and 2022, six coups d’état occurred within seventeen (17) months in Africa. Two occurred in Mali, one in Chad, one in Guinea, one in Sudan and the last one in Burkina Faso in early 2022. These unconstitutional seizures of power are most often condemned by regional, continental or international organizations.

As for presidential terms that are too long, they are also sources of instability and present security threats in our countries. However, they are not subject to sanctions as strong as those for coups d’Etat.

In light of this scourge, which slows down democratic development and the expansion of good governance on the continent, it is imperative that the population adopt a more conscious attitude. The regular holding of transparent, free and fair elections is one of the key commitments of the State parties to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). Political changeover at the helm of the State remains one of the attributes of democracy and a guarantee against any form of prevarication.

Consequently, the limitation of presidential terms is an issue that mobilises several non-governmental organisations on the continent. The role of civil society is therefore essential. However, it is still necessary to specify the framework in which this mobilisation should take place and to define the constitutive elements of the limitation of mandates.

This webinar is part of the “Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa” MOOC, an activity of the Charter Project Africa.

The webinar on “Term Limits in Africa: What Roles for Civil Society?” aims, in general, to revive the debate on presidential term limits in Africa through the role played by civil society organisations.

• – Clarify the stakes and the necessity of limiting presidential terms in Africa
• – Take stock of the promotion of presidential term limits in Africa
• – Identify the levers of action available to civil society to promote advocacy for term limits in Africa.

The Charter Project Africa is a pan-African project based on the commitments of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). The project promotes the use of civic tech to amplify citizens’ voices.

The project also opens up spaces for collaboration between citizens, civic initiatives, and African Union policymakers at the national, regional, and continental levels – emphasizing the need for concerted action through communities. Special attention is given to the role and mandate of the African Governance Architecture (AGA). In addition, the role of ACDEG in achieving positive change in African Union member states is monitored, analysed and promoted. As part of the implementation, a project secretariat in Addis Ababa strengthens the linkages between pan-African civil society and African Union policymakers.