Summary:
- Warning signs across Africa indicate that democratic governance on the continent is unwell.
- Popular support for democracy remains intact, but many feel that leaders are not fulfilling the basic requirements of good governance.
- This is cause for concern, as popular support for coups becomes more common, the number of disputed election outcomes is on the rise and leaders fail to provide socio-economic goods.
- Leaders are responsible not just to their electorates but also to the institution of democracy itself.
- More targeted effort is required to safeguard democracy and ensure accountable leadership.