When you thought democracy was growing in EA, dictators sprouted

Tanzanian authorities last week arrested and tortured Kenyan and Ugandan human rights defenders for going to witness the treason trial of Chadema Party leader Tundu Antipas Lissu. Kenyans, except for regime enablers, have condemned Suluhu Hassan’s authoritarian tactics and demanded for fundamental change. 

In my interactions with colleagues as Speaker of the National Assembly for 10 years across Africa, it became clear that Africa’s march to democracy has been a mixed record but, particularly troubling in East Africa.