Academic Paper from the year 2024 in the subject Politics - Region: Africa, , language: English, abstract: The democratic scene in West Africa has seen notable changes in recent years as nations show different degrees of democratic resilience and as well as democratic backslidings. The Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2024 Democracy Index and the Freedom in the World 2024 report of Freedom House classified West African countries into several categories, therefore underscoring a general trend of declining democratic liberties. While some countries-like Cabo Verde and Ghana-have very solid democratic institutions, many countries are faced with growing governance problems, election anomalies, and limited human freedoms under rising constraint. Significant challenges to political stability and the rule of law arise from political repression, executive overreach, corruption, and weak institutions still impeding democratic development. Comparative study of important West African countries suggests a concerning trend of democratic backsliding, especially in nations like Guinea, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Togo and Niger, which have suffered political liberties. Though classed as a flawed democracy, Cabo Verde is the most democratic country in West Africa. Ghana also maintains a somewhat steady multi-party system and like Cabo Verde, has a flawed democracy according to the Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index Report 2024. Liberia and Sierra Leone, on the other hand, continue to be hybrid governments battling corruption and poor leadership. Though it conducts frequent elections, Nigeria has ingrained problems like political violence and electoral manipulation. Once seen as shining examples of democratic development, nations like Senegal have since been subject to growing limitations on press freedom and political opposition. Authoritarianism has therefore been ingrained in nations like Guinea, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Niger, and Burkina Faso where military control, executive domination, and repression of alternative voices have further undermined democratic values. With majority of the nations classified as hybrid governments or authoritarian states, the results of the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2024 and Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2024 show a general trend of democratic regression in West Africa. Though some encouraging changes in nations like Cabo Verde and Ghana, the larger regional picture is alarming as political unrest, corruption, and ineffective governments still threaten democratic growth.

Julius T. Jaesen II is a Liberian journalist, newspaper editor, democracy advocate, and environmental policy scholar with a strong commitment to governance reform, sustainable development, and social justice. Over the years, he has emerged as a prominent voice among Liberia's young intellectuals and civic actors, using journalism, public commentary, and academic engagement to address issues affecting democracy, governance, and development in Liberia and across West Africa. Born on October 3, 1985, in Greenville City, Sinoe County, Liberia, Jaesen developed an early passion for public affairs and political discourse. His upbringing in southeastern Liberia shaped his understanding of the socio-economic challenges facing rural communities and influenced his later commitment to advocacy and development-oriented policy engagement. Jaesen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the African Methodist Episcopal University in Monrovia, Liberia, which he obtained in June 2017. His academic pursuit continued at the graduate level where he earned a Master of Arts in International Relations from Near East University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in January 2023. He later obtained a Master of Science in Sustainable Development from Cuttington University School of Graduate and Professional Studies in Liberia in June 2025. Demonstrating his continued dedication to environmental and development studies, Jaesen is currently pursuing a third Master's degree in Environmental Science at Cuttington University, with an expected graduation date in June 2027. Beyond formal education, Jaesen has strengthened his expertise through specialized training programs. In April 2016, he earned a Certificate in Grassroots Political Organising from the Young Leadership School Africa. In August 2023, he received another certificate from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on Social, Economic, Political and Security Challenges in West Africa, further deepening his understanding of regional governance and development dynamics.