Silence on Democracy Fuels Authoritarian Moves in Cameroon and Burkina Faso
When the U.S. chooses to remain silent on issues of democracy, authoritarian regimes and their supporters are quick to fill the void with their own narratives. This dynamic is playing out starkly in Africa, where democratic governance is increasingly under threat. Recent developments in Cameroon and Burkina Faso have highlighted how Washington’s reluctance to engage on these issues is being exploited to consolidate autocratic rule.
In Cameroon, President Paul Biya, 92, has been in power since 1982. Last year, he secured an eighth term in office through elections widely criticized as deeply flawed. For decades, Cameroonians have watched as Biya and his inner circle have clung to power, stifling any meaningful democratic transition. The country has held regular elections, but they are neither free nor fair, leaving citizens with no model for a peaceful transfer of power.
The latest twist in Cameroon’s political saga came last weekend, when both houses of parliament passed legislation reintroducing the position of deputy president—a role that has not existed since 1972. Under the new law, the deputy president will be appointed by Biya, not elected, and will serve out the remainder of Biya’s seven-year term if he is unable to continue. This move marks a significant shift from previous constitutional provisions, which mandated that the president of the Senate temporarily assume power in the event of a vacancy, with fresh elections to follow. Instead, Biya’s latest maneuver ensures that his preferences will dictate Cameroon’s leadership even after he is gone.
The news has sparked frustration and disbelief among Cameroonians. Many have become so accustomed to their government’s heavy-handed tactics that some even fell for a recent online hoax claiming Biya’s son had been named deputy president. Outraged commentators on social media seized the opportunity to criticize what they view as Western hypocrisy, with one remarking, “This is the kind of democracy that the West approves for Africa.”
Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso, a similar authoritarian narrative is unfolding under the leadership of Russian-backed junta head Ibrahaim Traore. Traore, who came to power in a coup, has explicitly rejected democracy, declaring it “slavery” in a recent interview. He has dissolved political parties and abandoned plans for future elections, positioning himself as a strongman in the mold of leaders like Biya.
Despite his claims of fighting extremism, Traore has failed to curb violence by radical groups or protect civilians from atrocities committed by both militants and his own forces. Yet his authoritarian rule has garnered support from some quarters, with events in Cameroon being used to bolster arguments for his regime.
The Trump administration’s decision to refrain from commenting on the integrity of elections abroad has had far-reaching consequences. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s instruction to U.S. diplomats to avoid weighing in on foreign elections was part of a broader pivot in U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes pragmatism over democratic ideals. This approach, however, has created a vacuum that authoritarian leaders are eager to exploit.
Silence from Washington is often interpreted as tacit approval, leaving the U.S. vulnerable to having its motives and preferences misrepresented by those with their own agendas. In Cameroon and Burkina Faso, this dynamic has emboldened leaders like Biya and Traore, who use anti-democratic rhetoric and actions to solidify their grip on power.
As democratic governance continues to erode in parts of Africa, the question remains: Who will fill the silence left by the U.S.? For now, authoritarian leaders and their backers are more than willing to step in, reshaping narratives to suit their interests and leaving citizens to grapple with the consequences.
— Reported by Nexio News
