Can democracy thrive in Africa? (CNN)

Cargill argued that Africa reached its peak in Western-style democracy between the late 1990s and mid 2000s, but had slipped into greater authoritarianism in the last three or four years, as leaders forged partnerships with new powers such as China and India and became less reliant on Western approval.
He said a wave of "new African leaders" including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia became the "darlings" of Western democracy in the 1990s.
They promised a fundamental change in African politics towards Western-style democracy and found favor with President Clinton's administration in the U.S.
"President Museveni came to power in 1986 saying African leaders stayed in power too long and wrote into Uganda's constitution that presidents should only serve two terms," said Cargill.
"However, in 2005 he changed the constitution to allow him to serve a third term and will probably stay for a fourth term in 2011."..read more..