However, two-thirds of those surveyed also expressed that military intervention should not be the primary means of governance.
A recent survey conducted by Afrobarometer across 39 African countries reveals that a majority of respondents would consider accepting a military takeover if elected leaders were abusing their power.
However, two-thirds of those surveyed also expressed that military intervention should not be the primary means of governance.
The findings come at a time when confidence in democracy is waning and concerns about corruption are growing across the continent.
This sentiment is reflected in recent events, including military coups in West Africa, protests by young people in Kenya, and a former South African president's unsubstantiated claims of electoral unfairness.
Nigerian youths and civil society groups are also planning a nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria in August to call for an end to hardship and bad governance. There is also unrest in Uganda where the government has been cracking on opposition figures amid plans by youths to protest against corruption.
“More than half of Africans (53% across 39 countries) are willing to accept a military takeover if elected leaders ‘abuse power for their own ends,’” the report said.
It also discovered as follows: “On average across 39 countries, support for democracy remains robust: Two-thirds (66%) of Africans say they prefer democracy to any other system of government, and large majorities reject one-man rule (80%), one-party rule (78%), and military rule (66%).
“But across 30 countries surveyed consistently over the past decade, support for democracy has declined by 7 percentage points, including by 29 points in South Africa and 23 points in Mali.
“Opposition to military rule has weakened by 11 points across 30 countries, most dramatically in Mali and Burkina Faso (by 40 and 36 points, respectively).
“Growing majorities call for government accountability and the rule of law, and support for other democratic norms has held steady over the past decade, including presidential accountability to Parliament, multiparty competition, presidential term limits, and media freedom.
“But support for elections has dropped by 8 percentage points across 30 countries, though a large majority still consider it the best method for choosing their leaders.”
According to a recent survey, less than half (45%) of Africans believe their countries are fully or mostly democratic. Furthermore, only 37% of respondents express satisfaction with the functioning of democracy in their respective countries.
In some of Africa's most notable democracies, satisfaction with democracy has experienced a significant decline.
Specifically, Botswana and Mauritius have seen a 40-point drop, while South Africa has experienced a 35-point decrease.
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