ECOWAS Special Envoy on Terrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, has warned that poverty and corruption are eroding Africa’s democratic foundations, describing them as “silent killers” of governance and stability.
Speaking through a representative at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Kamara stressed that democracy cannot flourish when citizens are impoverished, unemployed, or disillusioned by systemic corruption.
“Democracy cannot thrive on empty stomachs. While citizens struggle daily for survival, the blatant looting of public resources by a few corrodes trust in government and fuels disillusionment,” he cautioned.
The envoy linked widening inequality and economic hardship to growing instability, noting that disenchanted youth increasingly turn to non-democratic alternatives such as military takeovers or authoritarian populism.
He called for a decisive shift from rhetoric to action in tackling corruption, stressing that justice must be applied fairly to rebuild public trust. “When powerful individuals escape justice while petty offenders are swiftly jailed, citizens lose faith in the fairness of the system,” he said.
Kamara urged African leaders to restore hope in democracy through accountability, transparency, and reforms that deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens.
“The survival of democracy in Africa will not depend on elections alone, but on whether citizens feel their voices matter, their rights are protected, and their livelihoods improve,” he emphasised.
The 2025 GJF Democracy Dialogue, convened by former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan, brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and advocates under the theme “Why Democracies Die”.
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