Peacebuilding and Democracy in Africa

Abstract

Peacebuilding and democracy have a robust relationship in Africa. This is partially due to international policy initiatives linking the two during the 1990s, when several African countries undertook democratizing reforms and post-conflict reconstruction became an increasing need across the continent. The theoretical foundations for these policy initiatives emerge from liberal or democratic peace theory. While many critiques underscore the shortcomings of democracy and peacebuilding initiatives, few acknowledge that these initiatives have resulted in some success and political change. At the most basic level, virtually all African countries organized and held regular multiparty national elections by 2020. Despite this widespread and significant change, democratic backsliding over the course of the 2010s and into the 2020s threatens to undermine if not reverse the potential for democracy to provide peace and prosperity in Africa. The international community, including African leaders, needs to respond to the continued demands of African citizens for democratic governance to avoid future conflict and civil unrest.