Africa’s young people are a strong political force, as demonstrated by a rise in social movements and political protests across the continent, such as the movement for democracy and term limits in Uganda, the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, and demonstrations protesting the military coup in Sudan. However, young people continue to be excluded from decision-making. The erosion of the rule of law across the continent, exemplified by attempts to amend or eliminate presidential term limits, will undoubtedly have the largest impact on the current generation.

Africa has seen significant democratic backsliding in recent years, driven in large part by leaders who undermine constitutional norms, bypass presidential term limits, and shrink political space to gain or maintain power. To stimulate a discussion on how to reverse this trend, NDI partnered with the Government of Botswana to organize an Africa-wide Summit on Constitutionalism and Democratic Consolidation, in Gaborone from July 6 to 8, 2022.

On October 25, 2021, the Sudanese military took over government institutions and arrested the civilian prime minister, upending the tenuous transitional agreement that had been in place since the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The military’s takeover has spurred widespread popular protests on a near-weekly basis calling for civilian rule, which have been met by heavy-handed repression by security forces.

Libyan youth face multifaceted challenges, including high unemployment rates, an under-resourced education system and an unstable political environment. Encompassing almost 67% of the population, Libyan youth represent an opportunity for positive democratic change despite the difficulties they bear. Young women in particular face high barriers to entry in civic engagement. However, a 2020 United States Agency for International Development survey found one notable exception: debate clubs. 

In addition to the devastating health and social impacts, the pandemic leaves in its wake a crushing public debt burden and a steep increase in debt service payments. Global sovereign debt is at the highest levels in 50 years and triple 2008 levels. In 2021, 25 of the world’s most poverty-stricken countries spent more on debt service payments than on health, education and social protection combined.