And the election winner is … the candidate who can afford Africa’s soaring nomination fees

SITREP: Presidential elections in Djibouti and Benin revealed significant barriers to candidacy due to high nomination fees, impacting democratic participation. Alexis Mohamed, a former adviser to Djibouti's president, was unable to run due to these costs and security concerns. TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: The rising costs associated with electoral participation in these countries indicate a trend towards oligarchic governance, where only financially capable candidates can compete. This situation undermines the democratic process and may lead to increased political discontent among the populace. PROJECTED VECTORS: Future elections may see further consolidation of power among incumbents, with potential for civil unrest as disenfranchised citizens react to the lack of viable political alternatives.