This edition of West Africa Insights looks ahead to forthcoming elections in Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire and Guinea and explores the ways in which new and old media are continuing to shape discourses about elections and democracy in Ghana and Nigeria.

Eloise Bertrand provides analysis as to the political calculations being made by all political parties ahead of Burkina Faso's proposed November 2020 election but questions the ability of polls to hold without a signiëcant improvement in the security environment in the north and east of the country.

Elsewhere in Francophone West Africa, Gilles Yabi assesses the potential for, and maneuvering towards, a third term in office for President Alpha Conde in Guinea and at the ways Alassane Ouattara has sought to keep his party's grip on power in neighbouring Cote D'Ivoire.

Further along the coast in Ghana, Ernest Armah explores the ways in which technology and social media will shape the democratic process ahead of polls at the end of the year.

Finally, Eromo Egbejule looks at the increasing attempts to limit freedom of speech in Nigeria,
highlighting its roots in the 1980s and arguing that a media ëghtback is needed to preserve space for divergent views.

Idayat Hassan
Director
CDD West Africa