“The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory”; that’s how younger Senegalese must be feeling right now and onwards. After overwhelmingly voting for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye a 44-year-old, an opposition candidate that will replace Macky Sall.

The overwhelming jubilations on the streets of Dakar and across Africa after the announcement of Faye ten days from prison justifies how sweeter democracy is than kleptocratic authoritarianism. 

The unexplainable feeling of announcing the person you voted for in the democratic process after intensive participation, street riot demonstrations, and arbitrary arrests, name it all is sweeter than having sex the highest form of pleasure by a human being.

As a democracy deliverer to me, Faye’s Victory is not just for the brave younger people of Senegal but it’s a victory for democracy over kleptocracy and authoritarianism.

In many African countries under authoritarian rule, kleptocracy is disguised as democracy and in the minds of authoritarian rulers and apologists, it is regarded as a pseudo-idea which is very absurd.

As such they end up introducing draconian laws, abusing elections and democratic institutions which have consequentially exposed peaceful nations into political turmoil and economic setbacks.

For example, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Libya, Tunisia, Angola, Mali, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Genuine among others.

Dear reader, I have sad news for you, due to power struggles democracy is not achieved on a silver plate it rather hardly earned after civil wars, internal conflicts, foreign influence, demonstrations, diatribe, inflation and liberation struggles.

For Senegal, the struggle for democracy started with Ousmane Sonko 

the leader of the Senegalese opposition being charged with rape and youth corruption, a charge to imprisoning Aliou Sane and Faye the incoming that was deemed as an act of repression and political injustice that led to country-wide demonstrations where 15 people died according to Sally’s government. 

As a result, elections were extended forth and back until democracy prevailed at the end of the day.

In Kenya, the struggle for democracy started with over one thousand people dying in violent demonstrations during the Mwayi Kibaki administration for them to start holding dialogues for democratic 

pathways they continue to enjoy up to date.

The good news is that democracy can be earned through peaceful means through exercising democratic principles and overcoming the greatest obstacle which is fear in the presence of civic space and Human rights observation.

For example, the brave people of Zambia amidst switching off the internet and cramping down on social media platforms overcame fear to overwhelmingly exercise the left civic spaces and voted for President Hakainde Hichilema against former kleptocratic president Edgar Lunga.

Fear among citizens is the greatest element keeping countries under kleptocracy and authoritarian rule, therefore, it's upon civil societies, religious institutions and political parties to build a fearless critical mass as has been demonstrated in Senegal.

The critical masses of young people in Senegal upon illegal arrests of Ousmane Sonko, Aliou Sane from Yen A Mare and Vice coordinator of F24, the masses overcame fear by carrying out street demonstrations that have consequentially led to victory of Faye as democratically elected president amidst the cramping down of civic space and suspension of Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

“Senegal is just a statistic where young people have expanded the reach of justice but in so many countries, they have shaken the halls of power.”

“Younger people have brought down dictators and driven some of history’s most tectonic shifts” according to USAID’s Administrator Samantha Power during the International Youth Day 2022.”

According to an Afro Barometer survey in 2023, the wave of protests was a result of “at least 53% of Senegalese that believed democracy was the major problem or others believed there was no democracy at all, while 51% expressed dissatisfaction with the way the democracy is functioning, but the spark of protests being the incumbent president sally wanting a third term while the constitution only limits him to only two terms.

Literary, Senegal was seasoned with the absence of the Rule of Law, Human rights violations, economic hardships, lack of constitutionalism and gross inequalities, the worst part being political elites regrouping after each election cycle to stay in power to control the country’s national resources at the expense of the large populations, which is a typical kleptocracy.

Majority of African, Latin America, Asia and Oceania countries are pure kleptocracies where governments use power to plunder national resources, looting seasoned by dictatorship, corruption and gross inequalities.

However, democratic countries have proven to be more developed and organized, politically and economically stable compared to kleptocratic authoritarian countries thus making democracy the building block of peace and sustainable development.

Democracy prevailing in Senegal means potential for political stability, economic growth, human rights observation, infrastructure development and bridging inequality gaps has been over-amplified by kleptocracy.

Now that Senegal has followed Ghana, Zambia, and Nigeria to demonstrate that democracy is sweeter than kleptocracy here is how African nations can transit from kleptocracy to democracy, several key steps are typically involved;.

Building strong institutions

Establishing independent and impartial institutions such as an independent judicial system without political cadre judges and magistrates and free press, independent journalists and a robust civil society without bias of promoting foreign interests is crucial these institutions play a vital role in upholding the rule of law, combating corruption, and ensuring accountability.

Promoting transparency and accountability

Implementing measures to increase transparency in governance, such as financial disclosure requirements for public officials and open procurement processes, can help combat corruption and promote accountability;

For example, Uganda has established the Police Force Department of criminal intelligence, Inspectorate of Government, and Directorate of Public Prosecution among others.

Strengthening the rule of law

Ensuring that laws are applied equally to all citizens not just a few regardless of their status or connections, is essential. 

This includes reforming the legal system, and police criminal investigative department, enhancing judicial independence, and promoting access to justice for all.

Encouraging citizen participation

Engaging citizens in the decision-making process and providing avenues for their participation can help build trust and legitimacy in the new democratic system. 

This can be done through mechanisms such as free and fair elections, civic education, and inclusive governance structures, however, in my own country Uganda, this is being hindered by public order management law, cramping down civic spaces and social media platforms like Facebook something that must be reviewed. 

Fostering a culture of integrity

Advancing and preserving African ethical behaviour and integrity within society is crucial for sustaining a democratic system.

Subsequently, this can be attained through innovative education, awareness campaigns, and promoting a culture of values similar to Buganda’s obumu, obuntubulamu, obweruffu, obwesimbu, transparency, and accountability.

Transitioning from kleptocracy to democracy needs a comprehensive short-term and long-term thorough approach. 

Often it will involve addressing unresolved independence issues, and current systemic issues, promoting accountable governance and empowering citizens to actively participate in shaping their country's future. 

International cooperation and partnerships play a significant role in facilitating this transition by providing diplomatic and high-level technical assistance, promoting democratic values at all costs and supporting anti-corruption efforts to overcome the entrenched kleptocracy.

What has hindered sustainable development in African countries is an abuse of democracy disguised as kleptocracy, therefore a just transition from kleptocracy to democracy will build sustainable pathways and save Africa from future calamities.

Conclusively, other African countries in this age of the African renaissance should embrace democracy to position Africa better in the New World Order.

Robert Kigongo is a democracy deliverer and a sustainable development analyst.