According to an Afrobarometer survey, the number of citizens supporting military rule has surpassed those opposing it
Fewer than half of South Africans now say democracy is the best form of government, the latest Afrobarometer survey has indicated, a finding that an analyst says reflects a worrying loss of faith in the political system across Africa.
”The share who support democracy has increased since the historic low recorded in 2021,” said Afrobarometer. For the first time in over 25 years of surveys, the proportion of citizens supporting military rule has surpassed those opposing it. Nearly half of the respondents indicated their willingness to support the army in taking over the country’s leadership.
The report indicates that most South Africans are dissatisfied with the functioning of democracy. “Fully seven in 10 South Africans are dissatisfied with the way democracy functions in the country.”
Dissatisfaction is highest among the poor, the unemployed, and middle-aged citizens who feel that they are being ignored by politicians. Unemployment was listed as the most serious problem facing the country, followed by crime, security, water, infrastructure, and corruption. These ongoing issues have left many South Africans frustrated and hopeless. “Unemployment is the most important problem requiring government intervention,” Afrobarometer said.
The survey also shows mixed views about the new administration. “Four in 10 citizens think the Government of National Unity (GNU) has been effective at solving the country’s most pressing problems, but a similar proportion disagrees.”
Minorities of South Africans support democracy, oppose military rule.
Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said the trend is not unique to South Africa. ”This is happening continentally. There is a number of countries that are following Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso’s style of leadership. These countries appear to benefit more under the military rule than they have under years of democracy,” he said.
Ntombela explained that local politics also plays a role in this shift. ”The majority of ANC faction parties (EFF and MKP) are predicted on military ideals,” he added. “They venerate leaders such as Thomas Sankara, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and others. The material conditions have remained unchanged for the poor. Therefore, such alternative rule promises hope for the downtrodden of the country.”
However, Ntombela warned that a rise in support for military-style rule could come with grave consequences. “With military rule violence is inevitable. People like Frantz Fanon claim that violence is a necessary condition to decolonise and usher in true freedom,” he said.
