ECOWAS Special Envoy on Terrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, has described poverty and corruption as the “silent killers” undermining Africa’s democratic growth.

Delivering a message on his behalf at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Kamara warned that democracy cannot flourish when citizens are hungry, unemployed, or alienated by corrupt leadership.

“Democracy cannot thrive on empty stomachs. While citizens struggle daily for survival, the blatant looting of public resources by a few corrodes trust in government and fuels disillusionment,” he cautioned.

According to him, widening socioeconomic inequality creates fertile ground for instability, as frustrated youth often lose faith in democratic processes and turn to alternative systems, including military takeovers or authoritarian populism.

Kamara argued that the fight against corruption must go beyond rhetoric to concrete action that ensures resources benefit ordinary citizens rather than political elites. He noted that when powerful individuals escape justice while petty offenders are jailed swiftly, “citizens lose faith in the fairness of the system.”

The ECOWAS envoy further challenged African leaders to embrace accountability and restore hope in democracy through tangible reforms.

“The survival of democracy in Africa will not depend on elections alone, but on whether citizens feel their voices matter, their rights are protected, and their livelihoods improve,” Kamara stressed.

The GJF Democracy Dialogue, hosted by former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan, brought together policymakers, civil society actors, and democracy advocates under the theme: “Why Democracies Die.”