And the election winner is … the candidate who can afford Africa’s soaring nomination fees

Presidential elections in Djibouti and Benin highlight the impact of exorbitant nomination fees on democracy. Alexis Mohamed, a former adviser to Djibouti's president Ismail Omar Guelleh, cannot run due to financial barriers and lack of security guarantees. Guelleh, the habitual winner, faces criticism for a ceremonial political system.