As Africa navigates the complexities of the 21st century, provocative questions continue to surface amid persistent challenges. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and vast resources, the continent grapples with governance models that often fall short of delivering prosperity and stability. This feature explores the contentious idea of re-colonization, the plague of electoral fraud among long-serving leaders, the viability of democracy in African contexts, and the perceived ineffectiveness of the African Union (AU). Drawing on recent events and historical insights, we aim to dissect these issues without endorsing extremes, focusing instead on pathways toward self-reliant progress.
The Provocative Notion: Should Africa Be Re-Colonized?The question of re-colonization is not new, but it resurfaces in moments of frustration over corruption, instability, and underdevelopment. Proponents—often from outside Africa or in satirical online discourse—argue that colonial-era infrastructure (roads, railways, and administrative systems) brought a semblance of order and development that post-independence governments have failed to maintain or expand.They point to examples like the British-built railways in East Africa or French administrative legacies in West Africa, suggesting that external oversight could curb corruption and enforce efficiency. However, this view is deeply flawed and widely rejected as a romanticization of a brutal history. Colonialism was fundamentally exploitative, extracting resources like diamonds from Congo (where 70% of profits historically flowed to Belgium) and gold from Ghana, while imposing arbitrary borders that fueled ethnic conflicts .It led to violence, economic dependency, and the dismantling of indigenous systems. Critics emphasize that re-colonization would erode sovereignty, perpetuate inequality, and ignore Africa’s agency. As one analysis notes, colonialism’s “moral evil” outweighed any “economic good,” leaving legacies of poverty and division. In 2026, with global powers like China and the UAE influencing African economies through investments (e.g., oil imports from UAE to Namibia despite Angola’s proximity), some see this as “neo-colonization” via debt and trade imbalances. True progress, experts argue, lies in reclaiming indigenous governance models—consensus-based systems from pre-colonial empires like Mali or Ashanti—rather than external imposition. Re-colonization isn’t a solution; it’s a regression that dismisses Africa’s potential for self-determination.
Perpetual Power: Electoral Fraud and Long-Serving Presidents
Does Democracy Work in Africa?
The African Union: Useless or Underutilized?
Towards a Sovereign Future
Perpetual Power: Electoral Fraud and Long-Serving PresidentsAfrica’s political landscape is marred by leaders who manipulate elections to extend their rule, often at the expense of democratic principles. A stark example is Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who in January 2026 secured a seventh term with 71.6% of the vote amid widespread allegations of fraud, violence, and an internet blackout. Opposition candidate Bobi Wine rejected the results as “fake,” claiming systematic rigging, including ballot stuffing and voter intimidation. Museveni, in power since 1986, exemplifies a pattern seen across the continent: incumbents using state resources, media control, and security forces to stifle dissent. Similar issues plague other nations. In Cameroon, Paul Biya (in office since 1982) won re-election in 2025 despite protests and violence. Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, who rose via a 2017 military coup, has faced accusations of institutional rigging. These cases highlight how electoral fraud perpetuates “sit-tight” syndromes, leading to economic stagnation and youth unrest, as seen in Gen Z protests across Kenya and Nigeria. The root causes include weak institutions, foreign interference (e.g., Western or Chinese backing for compliant leaders), and a lack of accountability. While some argue military interventions (like recent coups in Gabon or Burkina Faso) are responses to such fraud, they often replace one form of authoritarianism with another, as evidenced by Zimbabwe’s post-2017 decline. Breaking this cycle requires transparent electoral reforms, technology integration (e.g., blockchain voting), and international pressure without neo-colonial overtones.
Does Democracy Work in Africa?Democracy in Africa is a mixed bag: progress in some areas, setbacks in others. Since the 1990s wave of multi-party systems, countries like Ghana and Botswana have held relatively fair elections, fostering stability and growth. Yet, the continent faces “democratic retreat,” with coups in West Africa (e.g., Mali, Niger) and protests against rigged polls. In 2025, Africa’s political year was defined by coups, disputed elections, and youth-led uprisings. Critics argue Western-style liberal democracy—emphasizing individualism and elections—clashes with Africa’s communal traditions. Imported models often serve as facades for elite capture, ignoring cultural contexts like consensus-driven governance in pre-colonial societies. Foreign influence exacerbates this: elections become tools for installing puppets, as seen in claims of U.S. or French meddling. However, democracy isn’t inherently flawed; its implementation is. Success stories, like Tanzania’s Ujamaa or Libya’s direct democracy experiments under Gaddafi, show hybrid models can work. To make it viable, Africa needs insulation from external meddling, stronger institutions, and adaptations like devolved power to ethnic groups to address colonial-era border issues. As one observer notes, the problem isn’t democracy but “unfinished transitions” from colonial and monarchical legacies.
The African Union: Useless or Underutilized?The AU, established in 2002 to promote unity and development, faces harsh criticism for being “irrelevant” and “bureaucratically inept.” Detractors point to its silence on electoral fraud (e.g., Uganda’s 2026 vote) while condemning coups, creating a double standard. Underfunded (85% of its budget from external sources) and politically captured, it struggles with enforcement, as seen in its weak response to conflicts in Sudan and Congo. Social media echoes this: users call it a “dictators’ club” that tolerates lifetime presidencies. Yet, the AU has achievements, like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and election observation missions. Its frameworks on governance and peace remain relevant, but implementation falters due to member state inconsistencies. Reforms could include self-funding, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and prioritizing African-led solutions over external dependencies. As global uncertainty rises in 2026, a revitalized AU could drive regional leadership.
Towards a Sovereign Future Africa’s challenges—fraudulent elections, democratic mismatches, and institutional weaknesses—stem from colonial legacies and global inequalities, not inherent flaws. Re-colonization is no answer; it would deepen dependency. Instead, the continent must innovate: hybrid governance models, electoral transparency, and empowered regional bodies. With youth demanding change and resources like the AfCFTA at hand, Africa’s path lies in unity on its own terms. As Stakeholders Magazine, we advocate for dialogue that centers African voices, fostering resilience in an uncertain world.
