Survey finds lowest support for democracy in SA, Mali in Africa

South Africa held general elections on 29 May. For the first time since independence in 1994, the ANC failed to get a majority. (Rodger Bosch / AFP)

Less than 37% of Africans believe democracy works in their countries, according to a new survey. About 53% are willing to accept a military takeover if elected leaders abuse power for their own ends. A reported 80% of Africans are also against one-man rule and 78% are against one-party rule.

Support for democracy in South Africa and Mali drastically went down this year compared to 39 African countries, according to a new Afrobarometer survey.

On average, trust in democracy decreased by seven percentage points in the last decade but “by 29 points in South Africa and 23 points in Mali”, the report said.

A decade ago, the survey recorded 72% of South Africans and 62% of Malians said democracy “is preferable to any other kind of government”. Preference for democracy now falls short of a majority opinion in five countries – Mali, South Africa, Angola (47%), Mozambique (49%), and Lesotho (49%).

“Although several of these countries – most notably South Africa – remain democratic and free, waning public support for the system, if left unchecked, could spell potential problems in years to come,” the report stated.

Mali was due to hold presidential elections in February, but they were postponed indefinitely. Botswana and Mauritius have upcoming elections in October and November this year.