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Despite the weight of crises during his presidency — including the Iran hostage situation, economic instability, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and a tough re-election campaign in 1980 — President Jimmy Carter prioritized the independence of a southern African nation as one of his key foreign policy goals.
Shortly after Zimbabwe’s independence, Carter hosted the country’s then-leader, Robert Mugabe, at the White House, and he later hailed Zimbabwe’s transition to democracy as “our greatest single success.”
However, three decades later, after Carter had long since left office, his advocacy for democracy faced resistance. When Carter and other dignitaries attempted to visit Zimbabwe on a humanitarian mission following reports of human rights abuses after the disputed 2008 election, Mugabe’s regime denied them entry. Carter, who had become a vocal critic of Mugabe’s increasingly autocratic rule, didn’t give up. Operating from neighboring South Africa, he gathered testimony on violence and electoral fraud through emissaries from Zimbabwe, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to global democracy.
Eldred Masunungure, a former political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, noted that Carter’s efforts “cemented his legacy” as a staunch advocate for free and fair elections across Africa. He remarked, “Carter didn’t change. Zimbabwe did. Mugabe drifted from the democratic principles Carter valued so highly,” highlighting Carter’s consistency and determination.
The situation in Zimbabwe reflected the kind of political shift that the Carter Center works tirelessly to prevent, deploying election observers and establishing voting standards in emerging democracies worldwide. Founded in 1982 after Carter’s loss in the 1980 election, the center became a pivotal tool for Carter’s efforts to foster democratic governance as a path to peace. The center has overseen over 125 elections across 40 countries and tribal nations, helping to expand democratic principles globally.
David Carroll, director of the center’s democracy program, attributed much of the center’s success to Carter’s “moral authority” and the trust he earned as both a winner and a loser of elections. This credibility was crucial in the center’s international work, he added.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work through the Carter Center, particularly in promoting elections, human rights, and the development of social and economic institutions in struggling nations.
One of the center’s early milestones occurred in Panama in 1989 when reports of election fraud prompted Carter to personally denounce the process. He recalled, “In my fumbling Spanish, I stood up on a table, and I denounced the election as fraudulent.” The subsequent fair election marked the beginning of real democracy in Panama.
The center’s influence also extended to Nepal, where Carter played a key role in facilitating a peace process and overseeing elections in 2008 that were crucial for writing the country’s constitution. Bhojraj Pokharel, Nepal’s chief election commissioner, said that Carter’s presence at polling stations “sent a message to the Nepalese population about the integrity of the election.”
In countries with no prior experience in representative governance, the Carter Center often provides essential oversight, as seen in Bolivia’s 2020 elections, which had been marred by fraud allegations in 2019. The center praised the subsequent elections for their transparency, a critical step in rebuilding public trust.
Despite the challenges, Carter’s focus on democracy in Africa has continued, though recent efforts have been met with mixed results. In countries like Tunisia, where the 2010 Arab Spring had sparked hope, the Carter Center has noted a decline in democratic participation, such as the low voter turnout in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
Carter also worked on peace processes in Africa, trying to convince rebels to participate in elections rather than resorting to violence.
In recent years, the Carter Center has turned its attention to the United States, observing elections in areas like Oklahoma, where problems in tribal elections had eroded confidence in the process. The center’s involvement helped restore faith in the integrity of those elections.
Given the growing threats to American democracy, particularly after the contentious 2020 election, the Carter Center has expanded its efforts domestically, focusing on the erosion of trust in election institutions and growing political violence. Carroll noted that the center’s work in the U.S. mirrors the challenges it faces in other nations struggling with similar issues.
The legacy of Carter’s leadership remains a guiding principle for the Carter Center. Carroll emphasized, “You can help strong systems be in place, but they need to be watched continually. You can never rest on your record on democracy and elections. You always have to be vigilant.”