Kofi Annan Foundation
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WEBINAR: West Africa: Is Democracy in Retreat?
According to the Freedom House ‘Freedom in the World Report 2021’, of the 12 countries with the most significant decline in democracy year-on-year, five were in West Africa. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s latest Democracy Index (2020) showed that only Ghana and Cabo Verde still qualify as fully-fledged democracies in the region.
Of the 12 countries with the most significant decline in democracy year-on-year, five were in West Africa.
Reports of widespread electoral irregularities, the arrest of pro-democracy activists and journalists, and the killing of peaceful protesters in demonstrations over the last three years in West Africa are grounds for concern. There is a growing distrust in the independence, neutrality and impartiality of election management bodies. The Kofi Annan Foundation seeks to work with States in the region to halt this trend – which could potentially lead to a return to instability and violence – and reaffirm their commitment to democracy and elections with integrity.