Joseph Siegle

Jul 27, 2024 | pressnewsagency.org | Joseph Siegle

The legality by which leaders come to power is nearly always predictive of their commitment to upholding the rule of law. This is sobering news for Africa. Seven African countries have experienced coups since 2020 and 14 leaders have evaded term limits since 2015. Less than half of recent presidential elections are considered credible. As recently as 2019, 31 of Africa’s 54 countries were on a democratic path. Today, that figure is flipped, with just 22 countries considered democratic leaning.

Jul 25, 2024 | brookings.edu | Joseph Siegle

The legality by which leaders come to power is nearly always predictive of their commitment to upholding the rule of law. This is sobering news for Africa. Seven African countries have experienced coups since 2020 and 14 leaders have evaded term limits since 2015. Less than half of recent presidential elections are considered credible. As recently as 2019, 31 of Africa’s 54 countries were on a democratic path.

May 31, 2024 | africacenter.org | Joseph Siegle |Jeffrey Smith

In addition to undermining democracy, accommodating Africa’s military coups will exacerbate security, economic, and humanitarian concerns. An alarming string of military coups across the Sahel in recent years has significantly reshaped the political landscape in this important and highly volatile region—arguably the most unstable stretch of territory in the world today. And the stakes continue to rise.

May 14, 2024 | journalofdemocracy.org | Joseph Siegle |Jeffrey Smith

A string of Kremlin-backed military coups have brought a collection of juntas to power. The West should resist calls to placate them, and instead stick to its values and push for a return to civilian rule. By Joseph Siegle and Jeffrey SmithMay 2024An alarming string of military coups across the Sahel in recent years has greatly marginalized Western engagement in this important and highly volatile region.

Jan 19, 2024 | reliefweb.int | Joseph Siegle |Candace Cook

By Joseph Siegle and Candace CookJanuary 17, 2024Africa’s multifaceted 2024 electoral docket provides opportunities to strengthen multipartyism, transition back to constitutionalism following coups, and rebuff perfunctory exercises. Africa has a busy election calendar in 2024, with 19 countries slated for presidential or general elections. The elections are a gamut of competitive multiparty elections to perfunctory electoral exercises.