West Africa’s democratic backsliding, and it is marked by escalating polarisation along political, ethnic, religious, and ideological lines, threatens governance, social cohesion, and national security across the region. Left unaddressed, this dynamic risks deepening societal divides, weakening institutions, and increasing the potential for violence.
This policy paper examines the drivers and consequences of polarisation, drawing on a global perspective to unpack its core concepts and multifaceted impact. It also highlights insights from a webinar convened under the MFWA’s Depolarisation and Democratic Norms Series (DDNS) titled “A Global Perspective on Polarisation: Key Concepts, Challenges and Solutions,” featuring Mark Freeman, Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT).
The paper concludes with a proposal of actionable, context-specific recommendations to help West African societies address polarisation and build a more resilient, cohesive, and democratic future.
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