By Mercy Peter
The Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for a preventive and partnership driven approach to safeguarding democracy across Africa, urging regional actors to strengthen institutions and restore public confidence in governance systems before crises emerge.
Speaking at the High Level Ministerial Forum on Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), convened on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance and multilateral cooperation.
He expressed appreciation to the African Union Commission, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and development partners for their sustained engagement in advancing democratic governance across the continent.
Tuggar observed that while democracy remains widely endorsed across Africa, it is increasingly under strain in practice due to governance deficits, unmet socio-economic expectations, and declining institutional performance.
The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s partnership with the UNDP in launching the Regional Partnership for Democracy in November 2025, describing the initiative as a forward-looking mechanism aimed at reinforcing democratic systems before breakdown occurs. According to him, the RPD has already attracted significant interest from member states, multilateral institutions, and development partners.
He said,“Democracy on the continent must do more than survive; it must command trust through delivery,” he stated, warning that weakening public confidence poses a threat to long-term stability.
“The RPD is conceived as a preventive rather than a curative measure,” Tuggar said. “Its purpose is not to respond after democratic breakdown has occurred, but to strengthen democratic systems in advance, thereby inspiring public trust and reinforcing institutional legitimacy.”
He stressed that the renewal of democracy cannot be undertaken by a single nation or institution, emphasizing collective responsibility. “As we say in Africa, a single head cannot carry a heavy load. Democracy is a shared enterprise, and its defence and renewal require collective effort,” he added.
Tuggar noted that democratic governance faces multifaceted threats, including weakened institutions, exclusionary politics, and the erosion of accountability factors he said create openings for unconstitutional changes of government and external interference.
He maintained that legitimacy in any democratic system must flow from the people and be rooted in local ownership.
The Minister outlined three key priorities: empowering independent institutions such as electoral bodies, judiciaries, and legislatures; aligning governance with tangible socio-economic outcomes; and promoting inclusive participation, particularly among youth and women.
“Citizens must experience democracy not only at the ballot box, but also through improved service delivery, job creation, social protection, and equitable development,” Tuggar said.
He further emphasized the importance of civic education and responsible digital engagement to counter misinformation and polarization.
The Minister also called for enhanced coordination with Regional Economic Communities and African Union organs to ensure coherence and sustainability in democratic support efforts.
He described the RPD as a flexible platform grounded in African priorities and leadership, open to diverse partnerships and technical contributions.
“Nigeria reaffirms its firm commitment to democratic governance, regional cooperation, and multilateral partnership.
“We remain convinced that democracy in Africa can be safeguarded most effectively through prevention rather than reaction through partnership rather than prescription, and through legitimacy grounded in public trust.”Tuggar declared.
