Democracy and Civil Society in Southern Africa

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the state of democratic governance in Southern Africa, focusing on the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in countering democratic backsliding. Drawing on youth consultations and a comparative analysis of West African civil society networks, the report argues that cross-border solidarity and regional networks are essential for strengthening accountability and protecting human rights in the SADC region.

• Global and regional democratic performance has declined since 2005, with Africa recording the most declines between 2018 and 2023. This trend is evidenced by a rise in coups in the Sahel and West Africa, disputed electoral outcomes, and the narrowing of civic space.
• Despite governance failures, there is strong public support for democracy in Africa. Afrobarometer data indicates that 68% of Africans prefer democracy over other forms of government, while the vast majority reject military, one-party, or one-person rule.
• Youth in Southern Africa identify several primary threats to democracy, including the misuse of technology (AI and microtargeting), a lack of transparency in proportional representation (PR) electoral systems, and the failure of the 'democratic developmental state' to deliver socio-economic gains.
• Youth participants emphasize that democracy must extend beyond the act of voting to include active citizenship, law-abiding behavior, and continuous engagement in advocacy and accountability.
• Human rights in Southern Africa are often recognized in constitutions but poorly implemented. Youth perspectives suggest that human rights in Africa often take on a 'communal character' based on the concept of ubuntu, contrasting with more individualistic Western interpretations.
• Civil society organisations (CSOs) are viewed as more credible and responsive than governments, particularly in emergency situations. However, they face significant challenges including heavy dependence on Western donor funding and government restrictions on civic space.
• The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) serves as a model for regional cooperation, leveraging common issues like election observation and the 'Democreatives' arts initiative to engage with ECOWAS and protect democratic norms across 15 countries.
• The Southern African Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (SAf-CNGO) provides a regional framework for CSOs in the 16 SADC member states, but it is hindered by financial limitations, staff turnover, and fragmentation of civil society.
• The African Defenders Network, hosted by DefendDefenders, protects human rights defenders across the continent through tools like the HRD Identity Card and the Ubuntu Hub Cities relocation programme.
• The report concludes that Southern Africa requires greater cross-border CSO solidarity to address regional issues, such as the inconsistent response of SADC leaders to contested elections in Zimbabwe in 2023.

APA

BOSMAN-BURNETT, I. (2025). Democracy and Civil Society in Southern Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SAIIA_SR_DemocracyCivilSociety-002.pdf

Chicago

BOSMAN-BURNETT, ISABEL. Democracy and Civil Society in Southern Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2025. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SAIIA_SR_DemocracyCivilSociety-002.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=BOSMAN-BURNETT |first1=ISABEL |title=Democracy and Civil Society in Southern Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=September 2025 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SAIIA_SR_DemocracyCivilSociety-002.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bosmanburnett2025democracy, author = {BOSMAN-BURNETT, ISABEL}, title = {{Democracy and Civil Society in Southern Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2025}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SAIIA_SR_DemocracyCivilSociety-002.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }