JOHANNESBURG – Experts and thought leaders gather for a symposium on the development and future of democracy in Africa.

They will also examine the role of the African Union and its regional economic communities.

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They argue that many African countries have failed to achieve political development beyond the ritual conduct of elections and superficial political transitions.

Dr Adeoye Akinola works at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg.

Dr Akinola discussed this in more detail.