This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
As Burundi concludes its presidential election, the country's new leader has pledged to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pierre Nkurunziza. This is a worrying sign for the long-suffering people of Burundi, who have endured a regime marked by harassment of the opposition, journalists, and civil society.
Under Nkurunziza's presidency, the country expelled global news networks and closed a UN human rights office, sparking fears of widespread state violence under a news blackout. There were also reports of summary executions.
Meanwhile, in Kenya, corruption remains a persistent problem, despite efforts by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, to combat it. The country's history of despotic rule, from Jomo Kenyatta to Daniel Moi, has left a lasting legacy of corruption and inefficiency.
Malawi, too, is struggling with corruption and inefficiency, despite ousting the dictatorship of Kamuzu Banda in the early 1990s. The country's re-run presidential election is unlikely to bring about significant change.
In Mali, protesters have taken to the streets to demand the ouster of President Ibrahim Keita, accusing him of corruption and ineffectual stewardship. The country's history of corrupt regimes has left it vulnerable to Islamist terror groups.
As we continue to cycle through elections, it's clear that we're not learning from our mistakes. We're more concerned with waving party flags and wearing T-shirts with portraits of our party leaders than with holding our elected officials accountable for their actions.
It's time for us to rethink our approach to elections and focus on electing leaders who are committed to integrity, ideals, and exemplary performance.
Tee Ngugi is a Nairobi-based political commentator.
