Explore The Region.

In recent years, West Africa has drawn the eyes of the world due to its culture, emerging economics, and changing demographics. However, one of the most intricate aspects of the region is behind its presidential palaces, national assemblies, and most importantly: ballots. This project analyzes the power transitions and election policy of eight West African states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Guine-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo, drawing connections among those and proposing questions surrounding power, democracy and freedom.

UN, ECOWAS partners kick-off Western Accord 2016 by Staff Sgt. Candace Mundt (U.S. Army photo) licensed under CC-BY 2.0

Explore the past, present & Future.

Most West African countries gained their independence during the second half of the 20th Century. These juvenile republics had the challenge of becoming nations overnight. However, sedimenting institutions takes time, and the scarcity of resources, a consequence of neocolonialism, created an environment susceptible to antidemocratic maneuvers by policymakers, politicians, and even military leaders. The following timelines explore in depth the main events in the West African electoral policy, starting in 2012, including elections, policies, uprisings, coups d’etat, and conflicts.