Abstract

Contemporary democratization processes and regime changes in Africa warrant a closer examination. Why is the focus on Africa? Despite a positive trend in democratic progress in the African continent, however, recent democratic backsliding and coups and counter coups have taken center stage in African politics. This is not to say that democracy around the world has not weakened; it is the case for all continents, not just Africa. While there has been contributions to the discourse on the factors of regime change in Africa, however, there is a gap when it comes to the political “stagnation” and/or democratic “backsliding”. What factors may trigger democratic backsliding and stalled transitions in contemporary African politics? Some of the key factors highlighted in the article are: elites, military coups, protest democracy, external influence through so-called “liberalization projects”. This article looked at wide range of contemporary case studies across the African continent. It goes further to explain the causes as well the consequences of democratic backsliding and failed political transitions/stagnations that are undermining the continent’s democratic pathways. This article first provides an extensive overview of contemporary regime changes in Africa and then delves into the depths of one specific example as a successful transition:The Gambia.

Keywords: Democratization, Political transitions, Backsliding, Africa, Regime change, Coups