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Earlier discussion

Power and influence in Africa

Globe and Mail Update

The Globe's Africa bureau chief Geoffrey York and Kenyan blogger-activist Ory Okolloh joined us earlier Monday for a live chat on the question of Africa and governance.

Readers on BlackBerry and iPhone can view a mobile-friendly version of the live chat here.

"Military coups, human-rights abuses and rigged elections have long plagued Africa’s progress towards democracy," The Globe's Geoffrey York writes in a feature article published Monday.

"Key countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe are still riddled with vote-rigging and political violence. China’s fast-growing influence in Africa is another challenge to democracy here. But it’s also true that multi-party elections are much more widespread in Africa today than 20 years ago – even if the incumbents usually win."

How can governance in Africa be improved? Why has the fight against corruption and autocracy seen limited success? How can Canada and other countries help?