Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently brought together prominent political figures to discuss the challenges of Western liberal democracy in Africa. Many argue that Western-style democracy is failing on the continent because it originates from a foreign culture, making it incompatible with Africa’s unique traditions. Obasanjo’s skepticism toward liberal democracy, while not new, may have gained urgency after the recent election of a political rival he opposed. However, he is not alone in questioning the viability of Western liberal democracy. Across Africa, frustrations with corruption, political instability, and limited economic opportunities have led many to seek a “homegrown alternative” that they believe would better suit the continent’s needs.
The growing dissatisfaction is evident, especially among Africa’s youth, who feel excluded from political processes. This frustration has driven public support for recent military coups in parts of the Sahel and West Africa, where democratically elected governments were toppled. People, especially the younger generation, welcomed these power shifts, hoping they might lead to more effective and accountable governance.
While frustration with the lack of democratic progress is understandable and even necessary for democratic reform, the idea that Western democracy is incompatible with African culture is flawed and dangerous. It confuses the genuine desire for democratic improvements with a reactionary rejection of democracy based on cultural arguments. The belief that democracy cannot work in Africa due to cultural differences rests on several false assumptions.
First, it assumes that there is a single, unified “African culture,” which is both unchanging and incompatible with foreign ideas. Second, it suggests that African culture is so distinct that political systems successful in other regions cannot work in Africa. Third, it implies that indigenous African governance systems are superior to Western democracy. These assumptions lack historical and cultural evidence. As political philosopher Olufemi Taiwo argues, African identity is not monolithic, and Africa has always been a diverse continent with varying traditions and cultures.
Moreover, reducing liberal democracy to a Western phenomenon overlooks its success in many non-Western societies and ignores Africa’s own democratic progress. Despite challenges, a growing number of African nations have transitioned from authoritarian rule to democratic systems, where peaceful transfers of power are increasingly common. While elections in Africa can be violent and flawed, significant advancements have been made. The media has diversified, civil society has grown stronger, and young people are more engaged in political processes, as seen in Senegal’s resistance to President Macky Sall.
The desire for an “Afro-democracy” is rooted in legitimate frustrations with the failures of democracy in practice. However, the idea that liberal democracy cannot work in Africa because of cultural incompatibility is wrong. The challenges facing African democracies are often due to political leaders failing to uphold democratic norms, not because the system itself is inherently flawed. These issues are not unique to Africa but are common to democracies worldwide.
In conclusion, Africa’s political struggles call for serious reflection and institutional reform, not a retreat into cultural essentialism or anti-Western narratives. Strengthening democratic institutions and fostering accountability are key to addressing the continent’s challenges, rather than rejecting democracy based on a misguided notion of cultural incompatibility.
This article is extracted from the blog of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), titled ‘The False Promise of Afro Democracy,’ authored by Ebenezer Obadare, the distinguished Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for African Studies at the CFR.