In early 2025, as the United States announced wide-ranging aid cuts that predominantly affected African nations, there were fears that Western interest and influence on the continent was receding, as well as support for bolstering democratic norms and conventions. Considerable funding through multilateral organizations like the United Nations and the African Union comes from Western democracies, as well as observer missions around elections. Without this, or with less of this, how would Africa's democracies — which already often face significant challenges — fare? Is the West getting too much credit? Many observers regard the upcoming elections in Tanzania and Uganda as formalities, rather than fair contests. Tanzania's opposition party Chadema has been banned from competing, its leader Tundu Lissu is in detention facing treason charges, and pro-democracy activists from Kenya claimed to have been abducted and tortured. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his four-decade rule, and prominent opposition figures like Kizza Besigye and Bobi Wine have warned of increased oppression. "In the context of democratization overall, one of the trends that we've picked up in East Africa is suppression of political opposition and the targeting of political parties and leaders who are trying to upset the status quo," said Seema Shah, head of the Democracy Assessment Unit at International IDEA, a Sweden-based intergovernmental organization that advocates for democracy worldwide. Kenya too has experienced a crackdown on youth protests and politically-motivated abductions. President William Ruto's regime has faced criticism for its heavy-handed approach. "It takes a lot of time to get into a rhythm of peaceful turnover and people accepting that a certain amount of friction, debate and opposition is natural and healthy, and we have to look at elections and the perks of being in power," Shah told DW. Nairobi, Kenya: A protester raises his arms and a Kenyan flag during a protest