Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for a shift in how democratic governance is protected in Africa, urging a transition from “curative” responses to “preventive” institutional strengthening.
Speaking today at a High-Level Ministerial Forum in Addis Ababa, held on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, Tuggar emphasized that democracy must “command trust through delivery” to survive growing public skepticism.
The Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)
The Minister highlighted the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), an initiative launched by Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in November 2025. Tuggar described the RPD as a proactive framework designed to reinforce democratic systems before they reach a breaking point.
”The RPD is conceived as a preventive rather than a curative measure,” Tuggar stated. “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.”
Addressing Internal Threats and External Influence
Addressing the specific challenges in West Africa, the Minister noted that threats to democracy are not limited to military coups. He identified “internal decay”—including weakened accountability, exclusionary politics, and the erosion of constitutionalism—as the primary drivers of instability.
He warned that these domestic failures often create “fertile ground” for external actors to impose governance templates that do not align with national realities.
Three Pillars for Sustainable Democracy
For democracy to remain the preferred system of governance on the continent, Tuggar outlined three paramount priorities:
Institutional Independence: Strengthening the professional capacity and autonomy of electoral bodies, judiciaries, and legislatures.
Socio-Economic Alignment: Ensuring that democratic governance translates into tangible outcomes like job creation, service delivery, and social protection.
Inclusive Participation: Actively involving women and youth in decision-making processes to counter misinformation and political polarization.
A Call for Collective Action
Reflecting on the collaborative nature of the RPD, Tuggar invited more Member States and multilateral institutions to join the initiative, noting that “a single head cannot carry a heavy load.” He emphasized that the platform remains flexible and grounded in African leadership while welcoming technical and financial support from international partners.
The forum concluded with a reaffirmed commitment from Nigeria to lead regional efforts in securing democratic futures through “partnership rather than prescription.”
