DEMOCRACY AND AFRICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

ABSTRACT
This paper attempts to assess the level of entrenchment, growth, challenges
and sustainability of democracy in Africa. It identifies major problems or
challenges facing the practice and progress of democracy in Africa. These
include, but are not limited to, military incursion in politics, sit–tight syndrome
of some African leaders, illiteracy, poverty, communication challenge,
misinformation, violence, imposition of candidates in an election, negative
influence of religion and endemic corruption. Using analysis, evaluation and
speculative methods, the paper discovers that the challenges facing the
development of democracy in Africa are artificial and occur due to inherent
corruption, selfishness and inequality in the polity. However, these challenges
are surmountable if inclusiveness is encouraged in politics and governance of
African states.