Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100, left behind a transformative legacy focused on global democracy and public health, especially throughout Africa. His commitment to democratic values propelled the African continent’s engagement with U.S. policy for the first time, uplifting nations during pivotal moments. Highlights of this legacy was his early support for Zimbabwe as it transitioned from colonial rule to independence.
During his presidency, Carter made history by being the first U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa. He hosted Zimbabwe's first Prime Minister Robert Mugabe at the White House, celebrating the country’s struggle for independence as “our greatest single success.” This visit marked the beginning of renewed U.S. interest and investment in African nations, contrasting sharply with the previous decades of neglect.
Carter's vision for Africa, driven by both moral conviction and strategic geopolitical concerns, was driven amid Cold War tensions. “I think the day of the so-called ugly American is over,” he stated during his visit to Nigeria, reinforcing his intention to respect and uplift African nations as equal partners on the global stage. According to Eldred Masunungure, a Harare-based political analyst, Carter’s unwavering stance on democracy was reflected throughout his dealings: “Carter didn’t change. Zimbabwe did.”
After leaving the presidency, Carter founded The Carter Center, which has worked tirelessly since 1982 to promote peace, democracy, and health worldwide. The center has observed elections across 40 countries and developed initiatives aimed at eradicable diseases like guinea worm, which once afflicted millions. It has successfully helped to nearly eradicate this parasitic disease and conducted humanitarian missions focusing on public health and electoral integrity.
One poignant example involved Carter’s personal intervention during the 1995 ‘guinea worm cease-fire’ initiated in Sudan, which allowed health workers to reach thousands of villages. “He taught us a lot about having faith,” remarked Makoy Samuel Yibi, who leads the guinea worm eradication program for South Sudan’s health ministry. This sentiment echoed the universal respect Carter garnered for his relentless humanitarian work across Africa.
One of Carter’s greatest achievements was the promotion of fair elections globally, which he viewed as fundamental for peaceful governance. During the inception of The Carter Center’s election monitoring program, concerns about the integrity of the electoral process were at the forefront. He recounted his experience witnessing electoral fraud during the 1989 Panamanian elections, which fueled his advocacy for honest elections: “There was later another election, which was honest and fair, and this was the birth of real democracy.” Such statements underline his dedication to the cause.
Even beyond African borders, The Carter Center’s influence spread to countries like Bolivia, where they commended improved electoral processes after addressing issues of fraud. Salvador Romero, the head of Bolivia's electoral tribunal, emphasized the importance of Carter’s evaluation: “The center's evaluation was important not only for how the international community viewed us but also for how Bolivian society evaluated the electoral process.”
Carter’s work even returned to focus on American elections as threats to democracy rose due to misinformation. The center recognized looming challenges echoing issues previously observed abroad, leading David Carroll to state: “We noticed threats to American democracy were increasing... exactly the kind of country we would prioritize.”
His unwavering commitment to nonpartisan observation and advocacy for democratic integrity remains central to The Carter Center’s work today. Carter’s human rights advocacy once led him to directly confront oppressive regimes, such as when he publicly criticized Mugabe’s increasingly authoritarian government. “Whatever the Zimbabwean leadership may think of him now, Zimbabweans... will always regard him as... a tenacious promoter of democracy,” Masunungure said, underlining Carter’s enduring legacy.
Despite facing challenges and rejections, such as being barred from entering Zimbabwe for humanitarian missions following Mugabe’s violent leadership, Carter remained committed. His legacy continues to serve as both inspiration and caution—a reminder of the necessity of diligence and advocacy for those striving to achieve and maintain democratic principles amid adversity.
The former president’s contributions to humanitarian efforts and democracy are regarded as unparalleled. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, a legal scholar from Sudan, remarked: “He is the single person... who has done the most for advancing this idea.”
Carter’s influence and ideals offer guidance for future leaders and advocates aiming to promote democracy and bolster public health initiatives. His dedication to these causes has indelibly shaped not just Africa's past but its promising future.