Is Africa becoming less democratic? This is a question that many analysts are struggling with.
The answers have been hard to come by because inasmuch as we have some nations that are democratic, the rest tend to suffer from dictatorial and anarchic systems of governance.
Democracy levels in a nation maybe measured by how the country holds elections. Recent and forthcoming elections in Africa show that democracy is on trial in most African states.
Take for instance Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni was declared a winner in an election marred by democratic shortcomings.
There was the arrest and detention of the opposition leader, allegations of election irregularities and apparent shut down of social media.
The above never happen in a democratic state, and it was quite absurd how the election commission still announced the results.
Meanwhile in Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to unconstitutionally seek a third term in office, plunging the nation into violence.
While most African nations continue to suffer from lack of democracy, there are those that are embracing and enjoying the fruits of democracy.
If African leaders follow their respective constitutions, dictatorship will be history and democracy will be a reality.