Support for democracy remains high in Africa – President Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says democracy will continue to grow and thrive in Africa despite the challenges that the continent faces.

The President was speaking during the 20th anniversary celebration of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) held in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening.

The APRM is an institution of the African Union and serves as a platform for self-assessment, peer-learning, and experience sharing in democracy and good governance for countries that have acceded to it.

“As we celebrate 20 years since the founding of the APRM, we should acknowledge that, despite the setbacks, democracy indices in Africa are strong and resilient. Public support for democracy remains high across the continent.

“Africa has an active citizenry. Electorates are showing time and again their rejection of authoritarianism and other threats to democracy. In no small part, the APRM has contributed to strengthening and consolidating democracy across our continent.

“This is a clear demonstration that democracy lives and thrives in Africa. It is a firm rejection of the hopeless continent narrative that has prevailed for so long. We are proud of how far we have come, and we look to the future with optimism and hope.”

President Ramaphosa laid out some of the challenges that are besetting the continent and added that these test “our collective resolve to ensure the APRM remains relevant”.

“Over the past three years there have been a number of coups d’etat, attempted coups and other non-democratic transitions of power in Africa. A number of countries in Africa are beset by terrible and protracted conflicts, wars and violence causing devastating loss of human life, livelihoods that are disrupted and economic productivity that is destroyed.

“Elsewhere also on our continent we are also witnessing democratic gains being rolled back, fundamental rights and freedoms being curtailed, and the positions of already vulnerable groups on our continent worsening.

“These developments should trouble all of us. They are setbacks in our quest to realise…the Africa we want, one that is characterised by good governance, one that is underpinned by democracy, by respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law. Never has the need been greater for a structure like the APRM,” he said.

Second Generation Country Review Report

The event also marked the launch of the South Africa Second Generation Country Review Report which gives insights into the progress made by the country in various areas.

President Ramaphosa said the report will serve as an “important knowledge base and provides a foundation for improving governance”.

“The report reflects South Africa’s ongoing commitment to promoting good governance, especially as we will soon be observing and celebrating 30 years of our own democracy. South Africa was the first country to be offered the opportunity to undertake self-assessment and to be peer reviewed on the respective thematic areas.

“I want to express my appreciation to Bishop Dinis Sengulane who led the external mission that visited South Africa in December 2021. Thanks also go to all national and continental structures as well as stakeholders who ensured the successful conclusion of the self-assessment and peer review process,” President Ramaphosa said.