Wilson Center Africa Program
Democracy and Governance in Africa: A Look at Elections in Nigeria and Across the Continent
The Wilson Center Africa Program hosted “Democracy and Governance in Africa: A Look at Elections in Nigeria and Across the Continent” featuring Wilson Center President & CEO, Ambassador Mark A. Green and Special Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation and Former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson.
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Overview
During the discussion, Oge Onubogu, Wilson Center Africa Program Director, spoke to the upcoming elections in Africa in 2023, and the recently conducted February 25 Nigeria elections, where millions of Nigerians voted in Africa’s largest elections and one of the most competitive presidential elections in the country’s history. Reports following the elections, highlighted multiple challenges that overshadowed the electoral process, followed by contestation of the results from opposition candidates.
Ambassador Mark A. Green, President & CEO of the Wilson Center, and Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, provided their analyses of the elections and its aftermath following their return from co-leading the NDI/IRI International Election Observation Mission to Nigeria. They praised the dedication of the Nigerian people for participating in the electoral process, but agreed that the elections “fell short of citizens’ reasonable expectation.” They discussed the importance of consistent messaging on democracy and governance, and strengthening governance institutions that respond to the needs of citizens.
Read further commentary on Nigeria's presidential and state elections by Ambassador Mark A. Green and Ambassador Johnnie Carson here.
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Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more
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