The September 5, 2021 coup d'etat in Guinea was a dramatic political upheaval for the country. Overnight, the military junta dissolved the National Assembly and abrogated the constitution. While the junta has since discussed a return to democratic rule, the path forward remains unclear. Despite this uncertainty, NDI is supporting local civil society partners as they work toward an inclusive democratic transition. 

It might be cold outside for democracy. For the fifth consecutive year, the number of countries moving in an authoritarian direction exceeds the number of countries moving towards democracy. It might be close to midnight for freedom. 2020 was the 15th year in a row that we saw a global decline in freedom.

Democracy never stops, even in the face of a globally broadcast Zoom call. During a session of the Legislative Track of the Summit for Democracy, featured panelist, Polish MP Hon. Agnieszka Pomaska took viewers into the parliamentary chambers while she voted and simultaneously spoke about parliament’s role in fighting executive overreach.

Addressing gaps in public health services in rural parts of Liberia requires teamwork. Goldy Kontoe Freeman and her colleagues at Community Health Care Initiative (CHI), a civil society organization (CSO) based in Bong County, Liberia, have already done extensive research on the causes of maternal mortality in rural Liberia, where overreliance on traditional maternal health practices and ongoing infrastructural challenges prevent many women from receiving necessary care. “When we take a look at midwives, because of traditional practices, they are stuck delivering at home,” Freeman says.