West Africa’s growing political and social divisions, increasingly shaped by political, ethnic, religious and ideological identities, pose a growing challenge to democratic governance, social cohesion and stability across the region. When differences harden into hostilities, they can weaken trust, deepen divisions and make it increasingly difficult for societies to address shared challenges.
This concern was at the centre of the Media Foundation for West Africa’s Depolarisation and Democratic Norms Series (DDNS) webinar, “A Global Perspective on Polarisation: Key Concepts, Challenges and Solutions,” held on August 18 2026.
The Guest Speaker was Mark Freeman, Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT).
Mark challenged the tendency to view polarisation simply as division between opposing groups. He described it instead, as a process in which the distance between groups grows while positions become increasingly radicalised. As this happens, people can become more attached to their own group and increasingly distrustful or hostile towards others.
The implications extend beyond political competition. Polarisation, in his view, is a “hyper problem,” because it can make other problems more difficult to solve. Deepening divisions can undermine consensus, weaken confidence in institutions and limit societies’ capacity to respond collectively to issues affecting citizens.
For West Africa, where political and social identities often intersect, understanding these dynamics is particularly important. Diversity and disagreement are not inherently threats to democracy. The challenge arises when differences are transformed into rigid divisions that leave little room for dialogue or compromise.
Below are five key recommendations from the webinar calling for urgent action by relevant stakeholders.
- Governments across West Africa should address institutional weaknesses, exclusion and inequalities that can deepen grievances and create conditions for polarisation. Democratic processes should provide meaningful opportunities for citizens and different groups to participate in decision-making.
- Governments, civil society organisations, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders should establish regular and inclusive platforms that bring together individuals and groups with differing political, ethnic, religious and ideological perspectives. These engagements should go beyond crisis response and create safe spaces for participants to exchange views, address grievances, challenge misconceptions and identify areas of common interest.
- Governments should review and update laws and policies to address online harms, including the spread of misinformation, disinformation and content that promotes hatred or violence. Digital platforms should be encouraged to strengthen transparency, content moderation and accountability while respecting freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.
- Media organisations should uphold professional standards of accuracy, fairness, verification and balanced reporting, particularly when covering politically, ethnically or socially sensitive issues. Journalists should avoid sensationalism, inflammatory language, unverified claims and framing that reinforces “us versus them” narratives. Newsrooms should also deliberately promote constructive narratives that highlight shared concerns, common interests and peaceful ways of resolving disagreements, while providing space for diverse perspectives.
- Religious leaders, traditional authorities, cultural institutions, sports organisations and community groups should be supported to use their platforms and networks to bring people from different political, ethnic, religious and social backgrounds together. These spaces can provide opportunities for meaningful interaction, dialogue and collaboration, helping to challenge stereotypes, rebuild trust and strengthen a sense of shared identity and community.
Click here to access the recording of the webinar, and here for the policy brief developed from the webinar.
