How the Opposition Can Win Unfair Elections: learning from Senegal and other successes
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
12pm Washington D.C.
4pm Dakar
5pm London / Kinshasa / Lagos
6pm Paris / Cape Town / Cairo
7pm NairobiGiven the global decline of democracy over the last twenty years -- in Africa and elsewhere -- it is easy to succumb to defeatism. Yet even in the darkest authoritarian regimes there is democratic light. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, two countries moved towards and have since consolidated their democracy. Coincidentally, they were both in southern Africa: Malawi and Zambia.
Despite the overall gloom, every year seems to deliver democratic victories for the opposition – sometimes entirely unexpected. Senegal is just the latest example of an opposition party that managed to win against all the odds. Senegal, of course, is not alone. Opposition parties were able to win even when they had been outspent, violently repressed, and written off in countries such as The Gambia and Nigeria.
These successes demonstrate that it is sometimes possible to overcome authoritarian forces and produce political change, even when the government is not committed to democracy. This show will explore what strategies and tactics have proved to be the most effective. Together, we will learn how to outmaneuver authoritarian regimes from activists and leaders on the frontlines with a track record of success. Join us!
Meet our panel
Chipokota Mwanawasa
Chipokota Mwanawasa is a multi-talented Zambian lawyer and co-author of a recent discussion paper entitled, 'Elections in Africa: Preparing a Democratic Playbook.' Currently, she is the Policy Advisor to the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, and also serves as the Deputy Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit. She was an integral part of Hichilema's 2015, 2016, and 2021 election campaign in which Hichilema unseated incumbent President Lungu.
Oluchi E.
Oluchi E. is a Nigerian social and political commentator, strategic content creator, and human rights advocate who works to inspire young people to get involved in the country's democratic process. In the 2023 Nigerian election, Oluchi was a key volunteer for the Labour Party campaign, supporting its presidential candidate Peter Obi, whose innovative messaging helped to build a national coalition of voters while inspiring millions of youth to cast their ballots.
Aisha Dabo
Aisha Dabo is a Senegalese human rights expert with a speciality in media and communications. She is the co-founder and coordinator of AfricTivistes, a Pan-African organization that unites bloggers, web activists, and changemakers across Francophone Africa. She has coordinated a number of pro-democracy campaigns, most recently in Senegal, and has written extensively on issues pertaining to digital rights and social movements.
Derrick Nyeko
Hon. Derrick Nyeko is a member of parliament representing the district of Makindye East in Uganda. He is also currently the Shadow Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs in the National Unity Platform, the country's most popular opposition party led by Bobi Wine. Formerly, Hon. Nyeko was a member of the ruling NRM party, but resigned in protest in early 2018 due to the controversial extension of age limits for the presidency.
Moderation
Mantate Mlotshwa
Mantate Mlotshwa is a passionate advocate for the meaningful contribution of women and youth to democracy and governance processes. The Founder of the creative brand U Motle, she has earned a reputation for speaking her mind and promoting positive messages of liberation and emancipation in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith is an award-winning pro-democracy campaigner and veteran human rights activist. He is the co-creator and producer of The Resistance Bureau and also founding director of Vanguard Africa, a nonprofit organization that supports visionary African leaders to build winning free and fair election campaigns.