Nigeria just had a peaceful election. This is a big deal.

Slowly but surely, Africa is moving towards democracy, accountability, and the rule of law

Nigeria election
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye))

Nigeria's presidential election has been a watershed, the first time that the most populous sub-Saharan African nation is handing over power peacefully and democratically. Muhammadu Buhari won the election fair and square.

Many observers were scared ahead of these elections. Nigeria's democracy is young and fragile, corruption rife, governance poor. Nigeria is also torn by sectarian and ethnic violence, including an all-out civil war with the militant Islamic group Boko Haram. And while the Ebola plague seems to be under control in Nigeria at the moment, it only added further risk to a tense time.

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Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry

Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry is a writer and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. His writing has appeared at Forbes, The Atlantic, First Things, Commentary Magazine, The Daily Beast, The Federalist, Quartz, and other places. He lives in Paris with his beloved wife and daughter.