‘Excessive terms of office’ scrutinised from top to bottom

Fridays on the MOOC “Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa”

AfricTivistes is launching the “Mooc Fridays: Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa” initiative. This is a series of webinars focusing on the various topics covered as part of its distance learning programme. To kick things off, the issue of “excessive terms of office” will be examined in depth. This first online panel discussion will take place on 29 July from 3.00 pm GMT. 

Between 2020 and 2022, six coups d’état took place within a period of seventeen (17) months in Africa. Two took place in Mali, one in Chad, one in Guinea, one in Sudan, and the most recent one took place in Burkina Faso at the start of 2022. These unconstitutional seizures of power are almost always condemned by regional, continental or international organisations.

As for excessive presidential terms, these too are sources of instability and security threats in our countries. However, they are not subject to sanctions as severe as those imposed in the case of coups d’état.

In the face of this scourge, which is hampering the momentum of democracy and the advancement of good governance on the continent, raising public awareness is emerging as an alternative. Yet the regular holding of transparent, free and fair elections is one of the key commitments of the States Parties to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (CADEG). A change of leadership at the highest level of government remains one of the hallmarks of democracy and a safeguard against all forms of malpractice.

This is why the issue of term limits for presidents is one that has mobilised several non-governmental organisations across the continent. The role of civil society is therefore crucial. However, the framework within which this mobilisation should take place still needs to be clarified, and the key elements of term limits need to be defined. 

“Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa”, an initiative of the Charter Project Africa.

The webinar on the theme “Term limits in Africa: what role for civil society?” aims, broadly speaking, to reignite the debate on presidential term limits in Africa from the perspective of the role of civil society organisations.

• To clarify the issues at stake and the need to limit presidential terms of office in Africa
• Taking stock of efforts to promote term limits for presidents in Africa
• To identify the means of action available to civil society to promote advocacy for term limits in Africa.

The Charter Project Africa is a pan-African project focused on the commitments set out in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (CADEG). The project promotes the use of civic technology (Civic Tech) to amplify citizens’ voices.

The project also creates opportunities for collaboration between citizens, civic initiatives and decision-makers within the African Union at national, regional and continental levels – emphasising the need for concerted action through communities. Particular attention is paid to the role and mandate of the African Governance Architecture (AGA). Furthermore, CADEG’s role in bringing about positive change in the African Union’s member states is monitored, analysed and promoted. As part of the implementation, a project secretariat based in Addis Ababa helps to strengthen links between pan-African civil society and African Union decision-makers.