Katiba Institute warns against removal of presidential term limits in Africa
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, May 14, 2026The Katiba Institute has urged African countries to uphold presidential term limits and reiterated that the push to extend and remove presidential term limits is continuing to threaten democracy, constitutionalism and accountability on the continent.
In a statement on their X account on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the institute highlighted that term limits are among the most effective constitutional checks against authoritarianism and abuses of state power.
“Presidential term limits are among the clearest constitutional safeguards against authoritarianism and the abuse of state power. They help ensure leadership renewal, accountability, and peaceful democratic transitions.
“Controlling Power: Presidential Term Limits highlights that across Africa, attempts to remove or extend term limits have often weakened democratic institutions and constitutionalism,” the Katiba Institute statement read.
The institute believes that term limits for the president are essential for maintaining peace and democratic transition, renewing leadership, and holding leaders to account. The group said that the constitution’s limit on the president’s term of office helps to avoid the accumulation of power in one person for too long.
Warning against constitutional amendments
Katiba Institute also noted that some African states have seen leaders trying to change their constitutions or tweak the laws to stay longer in power. This has often led to a deterioration of democratic institutions, a loss of public confidence and political instability, it said.
The institution has further reviewed developments on the African continent, where term-limits have been an issue in political debates and governance. The institute warned that the end of presidential term limits can lead to an authoritarian system and a reduction of checks and balances, which serve the interests of people and the state’s institutions.
The organisation highlighted the importance of constitutionalism, which is based on respecting laws in place and democratic principles, and not on the interests of individual leaders. It further noted that peaceful power transfer is an essential feature of good governance in a democracy and one of the important parameters of political stability.
Katiba Institute also advised citizens, civil society and democratic institutions to be vigilant in upholding constitutional safeguards that restrict the powers of the executive. The institute continued to believe that good institutions, decent oversight bodies and constitutional order are key to sustainable African democracies.
Presidential term limits have been a persistent political topic in many African countries, where advocates of the extra restrictions believe it helps to stop dictatorship, while opponents of constitutional changes fear that it personalises state power.