Francophone Africa in Flux: Democratization in Fits and Starts

Abstract

In early 2001, Benin stood proudly poised for its third competitive presidential election in ten years. Expectations were high and a sense of accomplishment filled the air. Benin had, after all, moved smoothly in 1991 from military rule under Mathieu Kerekou’s Marxist-Leninist regime to functioning democracy under former World Bank official Nicephore Soglo. Soglo’s election victory over Kerekou was a turning point for Francophone Africa. It was the first time an incumbent president lost at the polls, accepted the outcome, and peacefully relinquished power. This achievement brought Benin into the limelight as a model for democratization in the subregion and a harbinger of hopeful political trends. In the ten years since, Benin had created new institutions—including a highly respected Constitutional Court and an autonomous Election Commission—to strengthen the foundations of democratic governance. In 1996, the country held a second credible presidential election, in which Soglo was defeated by Kerekou and peacefully ceded power back to his rival. Three successful National Assembly elections were held during the 1990s, with a new legislative majority emerging each time. The reputations of Benin’s Election Commission and Constitutional Court grew, and the perception that democracy was taking root in Benin became widespread. As the 2001 elections approached, analysts therefore predicted a smooth ride for a country increasingly considered Francophone Africa’s “laboratory of democracy.” Unexpectedly, however, the tide turned. The opposition banded together to challenge President Kerekou’s early and substantial lead in the first round of the March 4 elections. The challengers Christopher Fomunyoh, who holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. in political science from Boston University, is senior associate for Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and adjunct professor of African politics and government at Georgetown University.