Across Africa, it is the supply side of democracy that is often missing. By focusing efforts on addressing this discrepancy, we can help empower citizens to take local ownership over the democratic process that can ultimately lead to a brighter, more prosperous and stable future for the continent.

Since Museveni seized power in 1986, many of his critics have been detained in unknown locations, beaten within an inch of their lives or died under suspicious circumstances.

The West African nation of Mauritania has never been widely viewed as a paragon of democracy in the region, but recent developments in the country have raised international concern.

That Zimbabwe's military and security apparatus engaged in a brutal crackdown on unarmed protesters - in broad daylight and in full view of international media personnel - once again highlights the severe discrepancy between the government's rhetoric of "unity" and its actions on the ground.

Regardless of the outcome of today's vote in Zimbabwe, the country will have made history.

Although President Issoufou’s election in 2010 and re-election in 2016 were recognized as free and fair, tensions have been noticeably rising ahead of local elections in January 2020 and an expected presidential vote later in December.