Democracy in Africa

After winning independence from European colonial powers, most African nations fell victim to one-party or one-man rule. But democracy has begun to advance in the last few years. Today, 18 countries of sub-Saharan Africa are counted as functioning democracies, and as many as 35 are in some stage of democratic transition. But entrenched autocrats continue to rule some of Africa's largest countries, including Nigeria, Zaire and Kenya. Barriers to democratization persist throughout the continent: grinding poverty, widespread illiteracy, limited investment, huge foreign debts and ethnic and religious conflicts. And the Republican-controlled Congress may cut U.S. aid for Africa. Nonetheless, advocates of African democracy say that popular pressure within Africa itself will bring about more political reform in the coming years.