African Elections in 2024: Will democracy prevail?

2024 is billed as the biggest election year of all time. Over half of the world’s 8 billion population can vote in various elections. This number resides in 76 countries, including eight of the ten most populous countries worldwide — Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia and the United States.

A festival of democracy

Africa is not left out in this global festival of democracy. Up to 18 African countries are set to hold elections for various offices in 2024. This report will focus on Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda and Ghana. These countries have been chosen for their historical competitiveness and record of stability.

South Africa and Senegal are two of only eleven countries in Africa that have never experienced a coup. Ghana has democratised admirably since the return of civilian rule in 1992, while Rwanda has experienced recent stability after decades of upheaval, which culminated in the 1994 genocide. 

Economically, South Africa