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Story highlights
- The 2016 Ibrahim Index of African Governance reveals the impact of decline in rule of law on the continent.
- Two thirds of Africans live in a country where safety and rule of law has deteriorated over the past decade
- 67% of the African population live in countries where freedom of expression has declined.
(CNN)Terrorism, human trafficking, and corruption are creating a more dangerous continent, which in turn is preventing better governance, a new report revealed.
The results of the 2016 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, show that two thirds of Africans live in a country where safety and rule of law has deteriorated over the past decade, greatly impacting overall governance in Africa. According to the report 5 countries have declined 'quite substantially,' and almost half the countries on the continent recorded their worst score ever within the last three years.
The annual report provides a analysis of governance on the continent and is described on the foundation website as 'the most comprehensive collection of data on governance in the region.'
Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Gabon – This summer has seen a number of closely contested elections across Africa. In Gabon, the national election in August sparked post election protests outside the parliament building in Libreville after sitting president Ali Bongo won by less than 6000 votes -- a result highly contested by the opposition.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Gabon – The results, released August 31, show that Bongo won 49.8% of the vote, while Jean Ping, the opposition leader, had 48.23%. Ping and his supporters say the numbers are fraudulent and demand a recount. This sparked protests in France too. Pictured here, a woman waves a Gabonese flag during a demonstration in Paris in September.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Gabon – The unrest resulted in deadly violence, arrests and media black outs. Here,
a man traditionally dressed with banana leaves joins mourners paying their respects at an altar for those who died.
a man traditionally dressed with banana leaves joins mourners paying their respects at an altar for those who died.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Zambia – Zambians also went to the polls in August for their general elections. Pictured here, a Zambian woman casts her ballot at a polling station in a school.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Zambia – The results were contested by the opposition who filed a petition in the country's constitutional court claiming the vote was rigged. Pictured here, a woman casts her vote in the capital, Lusaka, on August 11.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
Zambia – The presidential candidate Edgar Lungu of Zambia's ruling party Patriotic Front waves to the crowd as he arrives to cast his ballot on the day of the election. He was sworn in earlier this month for another five years.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
South Africa – In South Africa, the opposition party the Democratic Alliance won a number of new districts in this year's local elections including Nelson Mandela Bay and Johannesburg.
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Photos: The reality of elections in Africa
South Africa – The election saw the African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled the country since the end of apartheid, suffer significant losses in votes, prompting them to form a coalition. Nationally, the ANC garnered 53.9% of the vote. The Democratic Alliance got almost 27% while the distant third-placed Economic Freedom Fighters' party had 8.2%.
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'The biggest issue facing the continent today'
The report reveals that Libya, Central African Republic and Burundi are the countries that have witnessed the highest rate of decline, however, six countries in the top ten high scoring countries, have also seen a decline, including the continents largest economic power; South Africa
"...As our Index reveals, the decline in safety and rule of law is the biggest issue facing the continent today," Mo Ibrahim, the Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation said in a statement.
"Sound governance and wise leadership are fundamental to tackling this challenge, sustaining recent progress and ensuring that Africa's future is bright."
Worrying levels of deterioration
Overall governance on the continent has improved by one point over the decade according to the report, 37 countries recorded an improvement, with Cote d'Ivoire witnessing the most.
Worryingly, freedom of expression has also deteriorated with two thirds of countries, representing 67% of the African population, witnessing a decline in freedom of expression with Kenya displaying the biggest slump.
Freedom of Association and Assembly also recorded a decline, affecting even high scoring countries like Mauritius and South Africa.
Marginal improvement
However, the report isn't all doom and gloom
The human development category outperformed all others, with 43 countries registering progress.
The impact of technology also contributed to the marked improvement of the sub-category, infrastructure. Digital and IT infrastructure was the most improved of all 95 indicators.
