The legality by which leaders come to power is nearly always predictive of their commitment to upholding the rule of law. This is sobering news for Africa. Seven African countries have experienced coups since 2020 and 14 leaders have evaded term limits since 2015. Less than half of recent presidential elections are considered credible.
As recently as 2019, 31 of Africa’s 54 countries were on a democratic path. Today, that figure is flipped, with just 22 countries considered democratic leaning.
This backsliding has direct consequences for the continent’s economic, development, and political stability.