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Student protests

The Cost of Legitimizing Illegitimacy: Regional Organizations and the Crisis of Democratic Governance

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A wave of student demonstrations in late September in Madagascar quickly turned into a broader call for political reform, seeking to dismantle a system seen as corrupt and unaccountable. As the government crumbled, the president attempted to restore order through force, but to no avail. The elite CAPSAT unit, which had played a key role in the 2009 coup, ultimately took power, and the president fled the country. The removal of the president highlights the tension between regional recognition and domestic opposition, as institutions like the SADC repeatedly conferred legitimacy on a president with questionable democratic credentials. This disconnect undermines the credibility of regional organizations, limiting their ability to deter antidemocratic behavior and erode institutional checks and balances.

Key Takeaways:

  • The student demonstrations in Madagascar quickly escalated into a broader call for political reform, seeking to dismantle a system seen as corrupt and unaccountable.
  • The president's attempts to restore order through force ultimately failed, and the elite CAPSAT unit took power, marking the first time an SADC chair has been forced from power.
  • The SADC's endorsement of Rajoelina's presidency despite his questionable democratic credentials highlights a tendency to welcome leaders with dubious domestic credentials.
  • The regional organization's failure to condemn Rajoelina's electoral practices and its selection of him as chair despite controversy undermines its credibility and limits its ability to deter antidemocratic behavior.
  • Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, who came to power after the 2017 coup against Robert Mugabe, has been similarly welcomed by the SADC, despite allegations of electoral malpractice.
  • The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa has also given Mnangagwa its backing, despite his questionable democratic credentials.
  • The SADC's acceptance of leaders with dubious domestic credentials undermines the credibility of regional organizations and can contribute to backlash against regional efforts to promote democratic governance.
  • Institutions like the SADC can act as clubs of incumbents, with long-term negative consequences, as they send a clear signal to entrenched incumbents and would-be authoritarians that external validation may serve as a substitute for genuine domestic legitimacy.

Statistics:

  • Madagascar has been suspended from both the African Union and the SADC due to Rajoelina's unconstitutional takeover in 2009.
  • The 2018 election in Madagascar was widely regarded as legitimate, despite some irregularities.
  • The 2023 electoral cycle in Madagascar was marred by accusations of a pre-determined process, limiting the eligibility of opposition candidates.
  • Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 following a coup against Robert Mugabe.
  • The SADC has given Mnangagwa its backing despite allegations of electoral malpractice.
  • The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa has also given Mnangagwa its backing, despite his questionable democratic credentials.

Sources:

  • The Conversation Africa, Inc.
  • SyndiGate Media Inc.
  • National Assembly president Christine Razanamahasoa's public statement calling for a delay in the election and pressure on Rajoelina to allow a freer process.
  • Rajoelina's ouster from the SADC chair position.
  • Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa's takeover after the 2017 coup against Robert Mugabe.
  • The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa's backing of Mnangagwa despite allegations of electoral malpractice.
  • The African Union's suspension of Madagascar due to Rajoelina's unconstitutional takeover in 2009.
  • The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) condemnation of coup leaders in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

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