Dr. Chris Fomunyoh, the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Regional Director for Central and West Africa, has urged African leaders to unite to promote peace and security. He emphasized that challenges to democracy in one region impact others, advocating for solidarity among heads of state to uphold the rule of law.
“We must demonstrate solidarity. When democracy is threatened in one country, it affects others due to our interconnectedness. If issues arise in Sierra Leone or Guinea and Liberia’s democratic leaders remain silent, these problems might spread across borders,” Dr. Fomunyoh stated.
As the Senior Associate for Africa, Dr. Fomunyoh has led and advised international election observation missions in numerous countries including Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria. He has also developed democracy support programs with civic organizations, political parties, and legislative bodies in several African nations.
Dr. Fomunyoh believes that unity among African leaders can counter the wave of coups and military instability in the Sahel. “African democratic nations need to show more solidarity in protecting democratic space. Coup leaders will see their isolation and realize they are not accepted in Africa. This will also empower citizens, knowing they have the support of their neighbors,” he said.
During his recent weeklong visit to Liberia, Dr. Fomunyoh met with President Joseph Boakai and other officials to discuss democracy, the rule of law, and Liberia’s regional peace efforts. He noted that global perceptions of Africa are influenced by the stability of individual countries, impacting investment and public project financing.
Despite slow democratic progress in the region, Dr. Fomunyoh praised Liberia’s commitment to democratic elections as a model for neighboring countries. He emphasized that democracy requires continual effort and improvement to positively impact citizens’ lives.
Reflecting on his tenure at NDI since 1993, Dr. Fomunyoh expressed pride in his contributions to African democratic transitions. He also highlighted the importance of women’s political participation, stressing that NDI’s programs promote equal opportunities for women and girls interested in politics.
Dr. Fomunyoh warned about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation in Africa, particularly among the youth active on social media. He pointed out that fake news and propaganda undermine democracy, and that some elected leaders’ underperformance or manipulation of democratic mechanisms erodes public confidence.
He concluded by acknowledging the frustration of young Africans with leaders who extend their rule by changing constitutions, undermining democratic principles.
