If that was the test, Africa both passed and failed. Presidents Allassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast and Alpha Condé of Guinea both run for and won controversial third terms in office, through contested constitution changes or interpretations. President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo was re-elected for his fourth term, again after constitutional amendments approved in May 2019. These cases did not in any way register as a win for democracy in the continent in 2020.

The verdict of election observers in Tanzania reported widespread irregularities across the country both mainland Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar. Internet and social media was blocked in the days leading to the 29 October elections, not to mention the alleged harassment of opposition members. For a country that has been a beacon of peace across the region, this was an unfortunate step in the opposite direction.

Noteworthy positive events took place in Malawi where elections of 23 June were annulled and the opposition candidate, the now President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) won the repeat election. Malawi is the only second country to cancel a presidential election and order a repeat after Kenya in 2017. Malawi’s case is proof that the important bold precedent set by Kenya is practicable when it comes to organizing free and fair elections in the continent.