Some African strongmen who are also America’s allies and receive millions of US aid, have successfully removed the provisions on presidential term limits from their constitutions to enable them to run repeatedly. These are selections, not elections.
The President himself noted that “Africa’s democratic progress is also at risk when leaders refuse to step aside when their terms end… And this is often just a first step down a perilous path.” (President Obama in Ethiopia July 28, 2015)
“History is on the side of these brave Africans, not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” (President Obama in Ghana July11, 2009). Please click here to read our proposal to congress and sign our petition to strengthen African democracy.
