African political transitions in perspective: an introduction

Over the past two decades, many African countries have made significant progress in transitioning towards democratic political systems and governance processes. However, there have been notable setbacks, leading to inconsistent democratic changes that remain a challenge in some countries more than others. The result is rather a mosaic portrait featuring a mixed basket of a complex history, contemporary political tragedies, and structural institutional problems. This situation has prompted renewed focus on Africa’s overall underperformance. It has become especially relevant in light of the recent surge of coups in the Sahel, raising broad questions about the continent’s future trajectory regarding democracy. At the same time, countries like Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, and Mauritius remain vibrant and show promise for positive democratic development. In essence, democratic progress presents a complex and incomplete picture as the region moves into the future. This volume aims to revisit these political developments, offering a more localised analysis and context. Doing so seeks to derive practical and theoretical insights from the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to inform sustainable policies. This chapter introduces the volume and provides an overview of the preceding contributions.