“While we see great development in infrastructure, in economic opportunities, and we see development in also the area of education and health. We see major deterioration in security, rule of law, and also deterioration on rights, space for civil society has been shrinking. That is worrying. There cannot be trade-off between economic development or infrastructure and people's rights or even people's safety.”
Dingindaba Buyoya speaks to Mo Ibrahim, the billionaire philanthropist and founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which measures how well African governments serve their people.
Ibrahim warns that progress in infrastructure and economic opportunity across Africa cannot compensate for declining rights and worsening security.
He challenges military leaders who promised to make their countries safer, and questions whether the economic gains they claim to have delivered under their rule can last.
He also argues that African leaders are increasingly taking their cues from powerful figures elsewhere in the world, reflecting a wider global shift towards strongman politics.
The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with human rights lawyer Shami Chakrabarti, Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, and dancer Carlos Acosta.
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Presenter: Dingindaba Buyoya Producer: Osman Iqbal Editor: Farhana Haider
(Image: Mo Ibrahim. Credit: Getty)