To commemorate the International Democracy Day three days ago – September 15^th – Afrobarometer examined how African citizens perceive the quality of their democracies by conducting a survey in 28 African countries, through 41 953 face-to-face interviews. The result showed that barely half of citizens in the 28 African countries surveyed, consider their country a full democracy or a democracy with minor problems. And less than half are satisfied with the quality of their democracy; levels of satisfaction range from highs of 72 percent in Namibia and 68 percent in Botswana to lows of 26 percent in Togo and 11 percent in Madagascar.

“On average, citizen’s satisfaction with the quality of their democracy has declined since the previous survey round (2011- 2013), although some countries have registered major improvements in satisfaction. Free and fair elections and freedoms of speech, association, and electoral choice are far from universal realities, according to survey respondents.”

The findings were somewhat alarming since many African countries pride themselves as democratic states having signed or ratified the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which clearly emphasise the significance of good governance, popular participation, the rule of law and human rights.

Data from the survey suggests a wide variation of the practice of democratic ideals across African countries. For instance, survey data indicates that free and fair elections are not yet a reality in Africa. “While large majorities in Mauritius – 91 percent and Senegal – 87 percent, consider their recent national elections either completely free and fair, or free and fair with minor problems, only 46 percent share this opinion in Ghana.”

Also, the survey recorded significant differences among countries as pertaining other elements of democracy, such as freedom of speech and association. Citizens of Swaziland, Togo, and Zimbabwe, perceive high barriers to speaking freely, while most Malawians and Ghanaians believe they can say what they think.

Extent of democracy

Of the 28 countries surveyed, majorities gave favourable assessments in 15 countries. Mauritius, Botswana, and Namibia took the lead with 76, 75, and 72 percent respectively. On the other extreme, only one-third of citizens in Swaziland and Nigeria share this positive assessment. Nigeria’s negative assessment were captured late last year, before “a historical electoral transition”. Burundi’s relatively positive assessments were also recorded late last year, before President Pierre Nkurunziza won a constitutionally questionable third term. Respondents were asked – In your opinion, how much of a democracy is your country today?

Satisfaction with democracy

Across 28 countries, only 46 percent of citizens say they are “very satisfied” or “fairly satisfied” with the quality of democracy in their country, while 43% say they are “not very satisfied” or “not at all satisfied.” Again, Namibia, Botswana, and Mauritius takes the lead with 72 percent, 68 percent, and 66 percent respectively. On the other end, satisfaction with democracy falls below one-third of citizens in seven countries, including Madagascar – 11 percent, Togo – 25 percent, Cape Verde – 26 percent, with Swaziland and Nigeria – 28 percent. The caveats regarding the timing of the Burundi and Nigeria surveys also applies here. Respondents were asked – Overall, how satisfied are you with the way democracy works in your country?

Freedom of speech

According to survey findings, freedom of speech is limited in several countries. 51 percent of citizens across 28 countries say they are “completely free” to say whatever they want. 26 percent say they are “somewhat free,” while 22 percent believe that they do not have freedom of speech, or have very little freedom to say what they think. Malawi  and Ghana  top the list of those who say they have complete freedom of expression with 77 and 73 percent respectively; 18 of 28 countries hold a majority of this view. On the flip side, the people of Swaziland, Togo, and Zimbabwe, opined that they have very limited freedom of speech.

Regarding freedom of political association 62 percent of citizens across 28 countries felt completely free to join political associations, with the dramatic exceptions of Swaziland where 73 percent of citizens say they do not enjoy freedom of association, and Zimbabwe with 41 percent. Voting freedom has considerably robust statistics with 73 percent saying they are completely free to vote as they choose, and 8 percent reporting that they do not enjoy any electoral freedom.

As African countries strive towards fulfilling their commitments to democracy, “the perceptions of ordinary citizens provide an important window on progress and remaining challenges.” The current analysis of the Afrobarometer survey are preliminary findings, additional findings on democracy will be released at the completion of the survey starting next month.