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News release

Large majority of Africans support term limits; leaders’ efforts to extend their tenure run contrary to citizens’ wishes

25 May 2015
Despite increasing attacks from African leaders seeking to extend their tenure, presidential term limits enjoy the solid backing of a large majority of African citizens, a new Afrobarometer analysis shows.

Despite increasing attacks from African leaders seeking to extend their tenure, presidential term limits enjoy the solid backing of a large majority of African citizens, a new Afrobarometer analysis shows.

Based on survey responses of more than 51,600 citizens in 34 countries, support for limiting presidential mandates to a maximum of two is the majority view in every country but one (Algeria).

In observance of Africa Day (25 May), this Afrobarometer analysis highlights the views of ordinary Africans, whose views are often ignored in the processes through which governance issues such as presidential term limits are debated and decided. Detailed results of the analysis are provided in Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 30, available at www.afrobarometer.org

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