President Trump was impeached on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 by the House of Representatives thereby becoming the first president in the history of the United States to be impeached twice. He was impeached for incitement of insurrection in the storming of the US Capitol. President Trump continued to allege that the US election that elected Joe Biden as president was fraudulent, in the process losing about 60 court cases in challenging the credibility of the election.
So what are the implications in Africa? As may be expected, some Africans are pointing to this test of democracy in the US as a justification for abuse of democracy in Africa. So let me say this right away. What just happened is proof to the world that American democracy is strong and enduring. It got tested by a powerful force, but right away and swiftly, the power of institutions prevailed over a menacing attack by individuals. Indeed what is noteworthy in all of this how President Trump’s attempt to abuse the judiciary and the legislature was strongly rebuffed. I urge strongly that no politician in Africa should try to see a pervasive narrative in all of this. Any belief that even the great American democracy has failed is a fallacy. Believe me.