The campaign for Guatemala’s Sept. 6 presidential, legislative and municipal elections is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing protests that erupted following charges of corruption against a former vice president and other political leaders. This challenging political environment is further complicated by intimidation and threats of violence, particularly against Guatemalan observers monitoring election preparations.  

Editor's Note: Merloe's article was republished on Feb. 8, 2016 by the National Endowment for Democracy as a book. The collection of essays is titled: Authoritarianism Goes Global: The Challenge to Democracy, edited by Larry Diamond, Marc F. Platner and Christopher Walker.

In Honduras, a series of recent protests have taken place as citizens call attention to corruption and impunity. In response to the latest corruption scandal involving the embezzlement of $120 million from the Honduras Social Security Institute (IHSS), a growing movement led by young people using social networks has organized mass “torchlight marches” (Marcha de las Antorchas) in major cities across the country.  

Pledging a commitment to good governance, anti-corruption, democracy and fighting terrorism, newly elected Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari addressed a Washington, D.C., gathering July 22 during his first trip to the U.S. since his election in March.  

Over the last several decades, Mauritania, a large desert nation on Africa’s west coast, has experienced frequent coups d’état and political deadlock.

Mauritania’s current president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, ousted the country’s first democratically elected president in 2008 and has won subsequent presidential elections since 2009. The 2013 parliamentary elections and the 2014 presidential election did little to heal the country’s long-simmering political tensions, as parties failed to agree on conditions necessary for the successful conduct of elections.

In congressional testimony July 14, NDI's Les Campbell, senior associate and regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, gave an update on the state of Tunisia’s democratic transition.