Global south leaders call for bold rethink of democratic futures at high-level Africa dialogue

The High-Level Dialogue on Reimagining Democracy in Africa: Comparative Experiences from the Global South concluded after two days of powerful reflection, critique, and calls to action from African and Global South leaders, scholars, activists, and policymakers.

Hosted in Pretoria by International IDEA, in partnership with the Open Society Foundations, African Union, European Union, Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry, and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the convening brought together over 200 participants.

It was held in the lead-up to South Africa’s G20 presidency in November 2025, at a time when democratic values are under strain from economic recession, rising authoritarianism, military coups, and public disillusionment with political institutions.

“Democracy is a Universal Aspiration”

Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, highlighted South Africa’s symbolic role as a founding member of the organisation and stressed the need for Global South leadership in democratic innovation:

“Democracy is not a Western import—it is a universal aspiration. The Global South must lead in sharing and upholding its democratic models. International IDEA provides a platform for comparative learning and collective action.”

Dr. Chukwumeka Eze of the Open Society Foundations echoed this urgency, stating:

“Democracy must go beyond the ballot. It must deliver dignity. If it fails to address people’s economic struggles, its legitimacy will continue to erode.”

Root Causes of Discontent: It’s Not Democracy—It’s Governance

Former Sudanese Prime Minister Dr Abdalla Hamdok offered a sobering assessment:

“Africans have not rejected democracy—they are rejecting poor governance. When democratic institutions fail, militaries step in. Not because people want it, but out of frustration and abandonment.”

He emphasised that the path forward lies in linking democracy, development, and peace, and strengthening the state’s capacity to deliver tangible outcomes.

Panelists referenced Afrobarometer data showing that while 66% of Africans still believe in democracy, more than half support military intervention when leaders abuse power, revealing a dangerous gap between democratic ideals and lived realities.

A Grassroots Awakening

Professor Nkata Murungi, Director at the Centre for Human Rights (University of Pretoria), spotlighted the growing political agency of citizens across Africa:

“Governments did not give protesters power—people claimed it. Youth, women, and those in informal settlements are leading movements for equity and justice. This is political consciousness in action.”

Tunisian feminist leader Ikram Ben Said reinforced this view, stating: “Feminist and grassroots movements are already reimagining democracy—not as a distant concept, but as lived justice.

“Authoritarian regimes target gender rights first because they know dismantling these rights weakens democracy as a whole.”

From Representation to Delivery

From Latin America, Dr. Betilde Muñoz-Pogossain of the Organisation of American States emphasised that democracy must be judged not just by elections, but by outcomes:

“Democracy must not merely represent—it must deliver. Social rights, inclusive policymaking, and the principle ‘nothing about us without us’ are central to sustaining democratic legitimacy.”

Structural Reform and Pan-African Solutions

Calls for institutional transformation also rang loud. SOR Mahumapelo, Chairperson of South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations, proposed a continent-wide Independent Electoral Commission and stronger use of AU mechanisms to enhance electoral transparency and unity.

Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, was blunt: “We are bastardising democracy. Elections alone do not make a democracy. What’s failing is not democracy—it’s our distortion of it.”

Reclaiming the Social Contract

The Dialogue concluded with a strong consensus: Africa’s democratic future must be people-centered, decolonised, and development-driven. Democracy must evolve beyond procedural norms to deliver equity, justice, and meaningful participation—especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities.

Ambassador Diar Nurbintoro of the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation reminded the audience:

“Reinvigorating democracy takes time, listening, and humility. It requires cross-border dialogue rooted in the realities of the people—not top-down prescriptions.”

Final Takeaway

As the Dialogue wrapped up, a clear message emerged: Reimagining democracy means making it work for the people—not just on paper, but in practice.

The growing influence of climate change, disinformation, and digital disruptions makes this even more urgent.

“Democracy must be more than a system,” concluded Dr. Eze. “It must deliver justice, equity, and dignity. And it is the people—mobilised, organized, and united—who will lead that transformation.”

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