ABSTRACT
Ideally, the European Union (EU) and African co-operation in trade and development are based on mutual respect where the EU carefully exercises normative power in its relations with Africa. However, the policies that serve the economic interests of EU Member States come first. This raises a dilemma whereby relations are securitised, thus concealing reality. To illustrate this dilemma, a few leaders in Africa have changed constitutions of their countries to extend their term limits at the displeasure of the wider population. These leaders’ actions have led to a situation we refer to as ‘democratic overstay’ – incumbent predetermined victory in periodic elections, the result of which is public protest – the ‘revolting constituency.’ ‘Overstay’ and ‘revolt’ complicates the EU’s export of moral values. This paper focuses on the East African (EA) countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, where ‘democratic overstay’ and ‘revolting constituencies’ are evident in different forms and particularities. Although ‘democratic overstay’ poses a major challenge to the EU’s image in its various manifestations, the EU continues to pursue its economic interests amidst the challenges to its norms, thus placing it at a crossroads.
