"Djibouti's Presidential Election: A Barrier to Democracy?" In a stark reminder of the challenges facing democratic progress in Africa, the recent presidential elections in Djibouti and Benin have exposed the crippling costs associated with electoral systems in some nations. The case of Alexis Mohamed, a former adviser to Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, highlights the severe obstacles that potential candidates face in standing for office. Mohamed's decision to resign last September due to concerns over democratic regression in the country was likely motivated by the daunting nomination costs and restrictive environment that make it nearly impossible for opposition candidates to compete on a level playing field. As Mohamed now faces exile, he reveals the difficulties he encounters in attempting to return home to file nomination papers or campaign freely, underscoring the need for urgent reforms to ensure a more inclusive and representative democracy in Djibouti.
Presidential elections in Djibouti and Benin at the weekend highlighted how a costly electoral system is reshaping democracyAlexis Mohamed would have loved to stand against his former boss. A longtime adviser to Djibouti’s president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, Mohamed resigned last September, citing democratic regression in the country.But at the election at the weekend, Mohamed was not on the ballot. Now outside the country, he says he cannot return home to file nomination papers or campaign freely without credible security guarantees. Even if he were allowed to compete, nomination costs would still loom as a steep barrier in a political environment many critics describe as ceremonial, with Guelleh the habitual winner. Continue reading...
