Africa Insight

On the Rise of Military Regimes in West Africa Between Legitimacy Fatigue and Legality Crisis

Nicasius Achu Check — 2025-01-07

This article investigates the alarming recurrence of violence by military personnel in West African states in terms of their political affairs. In order to determine the propagation of military coups in the region, as well as the incapacity of regional and continental entities to remedy this phenomenon, this article questions the relevance and conformity of democratic practices about the spirit and the essence of ‘democracy’ as a governing system aimed at fostering peace, justice, and social cohesion for the majority. It asserts that West African states face a crisis of democracy, legitimacy, and legality. Democratic proceedings and practices in most West African countries, i.e. the basis for power acquisition and its exercise, are inherently conflict-prone. They give little chance for a peaceful resolution in cases of political crisis. In short, they create the conditions for popular revolts, insurrections, and revolutions.

Gender Gap in Youth Participation Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

Oluwaseun Ayomipo — 2025-01-07

Electoral participation continues to be an issue of critical importance in Africa. Huntington’s third wave of democracy is mostly made up of African countries that had achieved their independence and were ready to foster a new beginning. Worrying, however, is the backsliding of democracy on the continent. Many nations have experienced coups and the overthrow of governments, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea. In addition, The Gambia, GuineaBissau, and Sao Tome and Principe have all witnessed failed coup attempts. However, countries like Nigeria, Zambia, and South Africa have been able to conduct elections that have largely been free and fair. Recent developments with democracy and participation on the continent necessitate scholarly contributions that can shed light on the performance of democracy in Africa, emerging trends, and possible democratic reforms, in order to further consolidate democracy on the continent. Based on these contextual factors, this article addresses an extremely important issue of political participation for both Nigeria and other African democracies, i.e. political participation. Despite its significance to the stability and sustainable development of Nigeria, with over 75 per cent of the population being youth, studies on the gender gap in political participation by the Nigerian youth are rare in the literature. This study was conducted among Nigerian university students a few days before the 2023 presidential election, to assess the level of political participation and the gender gap in terms of participation. The study adopted a quantitative research design using the survey method. Four hundred and fifty-seven students (45.3 per cent females) participated in the survey. The study results showed that a gender gap exists in terms of traditional political participation by students, social media political engagement, and willingness to vote. However, there is no gender gap in terms of interpersonal political talk and online information-seeking. The study concludes that a gender gap exists in terms of some types of political participation by Nigerian youth, although not in terms of all forms of participation.

South Africa's Unemployment Conundrum

Tlou Ramoroka — 2025-01-07

South Africa faces a complex socio-economic dilemma of reducing the high unemployment rate while allowing democracy to thrive. This article explores the complex dynamics of the democratic unemployment status quo in South Africa and the important effect it had on the national elections in 2024. The nation’s democratic transition in 1994 was a watershed event that promised economic growth and political freedom for all its residents. But despite the progress made towards democratisation, unemployment is still shockingly high, particularly for young people and marginalised communities.1 To show how the nation’s social stability and democratic values are at risk, this article examines the intricate correlation that exists between democratic government, economic policy, and the labour market. Moreover, the article also sheds light on the consequences that the ongoing unemployment problem had for the 2024 national elections. A mixed methods design was used in the study done for the article, with quantitative and qualitative techniques being used to conduct exploratory analysis, as well as a systematic literature review. The article concludes that voter behaviour may have been greatly influenced by the dissatisfaction and disillusionment of the populace resulting from unemployment, which could change the political landscape and priorities. Comprehending the fundamental connection between joblessness and the democratic system is essential for developing well-informed policies that not only tackle the severe unemployment issue, but also reinforce South Africa’s democratic base.

Brisa De Angulo Losada vs Bolivia

Claire Stephanie Westman — 2025-01-07

In 2023, a landmark ruling in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights found that the State of Bolivia had failed to protect and uphold the rights of a woman who had experienced ongoing sexual abuse as a child. This is the first case related to human rights violations of an adolescent victim of sexual violence brought before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It has served to highlight the ways in which ineffective and corrupt criminal justice systems can impede the rights of a citizen. The aim of this article is to explore to what extent this ruling could act as an example for cases similar to those of De Angulo Losada. In particular, the article discusses the relevance of this case in relation to sexual violence in South Africa and the role of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in upholding human rights. Overall, the article argues that the Brisa De Angulo Losada vs Bolivia case could serve as an example of how the South African government could be held accountable for its ineffective response to and prosecution of sexual violence.

The AGOA’s Out of Cycle Review

Zuko April — 2025-01-07

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the cornerstone of the United States of America’s (US) trade policy towards the sub- Saharan Africa countries. South Africa has been an AGOA beneficiary since 2000.The objective with this article is to discuss the out-of- cycle review and its implications for South Africa. The article utilises secondary sources of data from previous research, and grounds the theoretical framework in preferential trade agreements. The AGOA agreement’s potential loss through the out-of-cycle review has significant implications for South Africa. The study’s main finding is that South Africa is at risk of losing its AGOA preferential status due to Section 105 of the AGOA Act (Monitoring and review of eligibility under Generalized System of Preferences), the automatic rules and discretionary powers of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).

Navigating Economic Integration Assessing the Impact of the EU-Ghana Economic Partnership Agreement on Trade Dynamics

Felix Danso — 2025-01-07

This article reports on an investigation done into the effect of the EU-Ghana Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Ghanaian trade and analysis of the economic impact of bilateral agreements following its implementation in 2021. Secondary data was used to assess changes in trade volumes, tariff liberalisation, and the broader economic effects on Ghana’s industries. Ghana’s engagement in international trade and its leadership in regional initiatives, such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), were also examined. A significant contribution of this research is the introduction of a comprehensive foreign policy framework, that was designed to help enhance trade policies and promote sustainable economic growth. The findings of the investigations reveal that while the EPA has facilitated greater market access and economic cooperation, strategic policy adjustments are required to protect vulnerable sectors and optimise benefits. This comprehensive analysis provides insights for policymakers and stakeholders, and emphases the need for a balanced approach to trade liberalisation and economic development in Ghana.

Re-imagining Food Systems Transformation and the Achievement of Healthy Diets for All in Zimbabwe Implications for Nutritional Policy

Joseph Tinarwo — 2025-01-07

Ensuring a sustainable, healthy diet for all people has become one of the critical objectives of the global developmental agenda. Policymakers and development practitioners are now re-directing all their efforts towards transforming food systems to ensure an inclusive and equitable healthy diet – particularly in poor countries. Yet the impact of food systems transformation on facilitating a healthy diet and the implications on nutrition policy in poor countries like Zimbabwe remains unknown. This research qualitatively analyses the nutritional policy implications of food systems transformation to achieve healthy diets in Zimbabwe. The study shows that the government could develop and implement nutrition policies that focus on rolling out education programmes to promote a healthy lifestyle and enforce front-of-pack food labelling, fiscal incentives and disincentives in promoting a healthy diet, mainstream nutrition in designing and implementing social protection programmes and ensuring food standards. Designing and implementing effective nutrition policies that support the provision of healthy, nutritious food sources could be a robust strategy for food systems transformation and achieving Agenda 2030. The article calls for multi-sectoral collaboration of all nutrition actors in Zimbabwe to ensure that people follow a healthy diet and incorporate essential components of food system resilience into its structure.

s Ubuntu a Political Myth?

Lefatshe A. Moagi — 2025-01-07

This research article argues that, from the African traditional thought perspective, Ubuntu is a principled value system that assists in advancing political thought. For many years, Ubuntu has been given a utopian myth in the academic space. Ubuntu should be distinguished from its political usefulness, and the article questions where to locate the theory of Ubuntu. Thus, the argument is centred on how the description of Ubuntu lies within its principle and values as an African ideology that could ensure harmony in a community. The article argues that its undecidable nature arises from the comparison between what it ought to be and what it is, as it is practised today. This article discusses the ongoing challenge for decolonisation is for African scholars to revisit old culture and traditional practices, and to address the issues that challenge their respective states. Africans ‘wanted to find a space to finally speak for themselves and define themselves and their relationship with the universe’.1 Africa’s voice meant that they could finally dig in deep and retrieve information about the continent, their true reflection of their heritage, ancestors, culture, and traditions.

Civil Society Organisation Advocacy and National Development A Mixed-Method Study in the Greater Accra and Western Regions of Ghana

Daniel Odoom — 2025-01-07

The views of a sample of inhabitants of the Greater Accra and Western Regions of Ghana were used in this mixed-method study on how civil society organisations’ (CSOs) advocacy contributes to national development. The alternative development theory informed the study. Data was obtained from 321 inhabitants using questionnaires, an interview schedule, and focus group discussions. The mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA tests were used for the quantitative analysis, whilst content analysis was done on the qualitative data. The study found that despite the challenges faced by CSOs in Ghana, they contribute to national development in areas including education, health, governance, and gender equality through dialogue, campaigns, policy briefs, and other advocacy activities. Also, the participation of CSOs in meetings and discussions with state actors and non-state actors is perceived as being generally effective. However, the contribution of CSO advocacy to national development is low in the areas of agriculture, employment, and security. Concerns about CSO advocacy in Ghana include the reactionary nature of CSO advocacy, ineffective use of social media and the courts of law for advocacy. The overall level of effectiveness of CSO advocacy to national development is perceived to be low. However, significant differences exist in the views of respondents from the two regions on the effectiveness of CSO advocacy strategies. CSOs should vigorously diversify their advocacy activities to include agriculture, employment creation, and national security issues, which are also important to national development. Finally, CSOs should train their employees on how to effectively use social media and other digital communication tools to influence social change.

The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman ‘Mzala’ Nxumalo 1955-1991

M.J. Radebe — 2025-01-07

No Abstract