Where the Contract Begins or Unravels

The document discusses the state of democracy and elections in Africa, arguing that the legitimacy of power must rest on the principle of universal suffrage rather than the historical legacy of liberation struggles.

• At least 10 countries are scheduled for multiparty presidential and/or parliamentary elections, with South Africa, Mozambique, and Malawi holding their third consecutive polls, and Namibia holding its fourth. Notable leadership changes include the stepping down of Sam Nujoma, Joaquim Chissano, and Bakili Muluzi, the latter of whom was unsuccessful in attempting to change Malawi's constitution to allow for a third term.
• The author argues that while elections are a visible part of democracy, they can be used as a 'cloak of legitimacy' for those seeking power. The document asserts that when the pursuit of power eclipses the principle of universal suffrage—which was the intended motive of Africa's freedom struggles—the social contract between the government and the governed begins to fail.
• The text emphasizes that the right to vote is the cornerstone of public trust and not a privilege to be managed by those in power. It illustrates the failure of democratic processes through the example of Audu Ayitogo, a Nigerian peasant who declined to vote in local council polls because he believed his vote would not be recognized.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2008). Where the Contract Begins or Unravels. https://saiia.org.za/research/editorial-where-the-contract-begins-or-unravels/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Where the Contract Begins or Unravels. 2008. https://saiia.org.za/research/editorial-where-the-contract-begins-or-unravels/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Where the Contract Begins or Unravels |date=28 April 2008 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/editorial-where-the-contract-begins-or-unravels/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2008where, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Where the Contract Begins or Unravels}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2008}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/editorial-where-the-contract-begins-or-unravels/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }