Africa's take on German elections

Ubala Musa, Abuja

"There's a lot that we in Nigeria can learn from the process that took place in Germany," said Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy National chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Nigeria's capital Abuja.

"All other parties are acknowledging the results without any opposition I think is worth learning from," he said, adding that it was due to Germany being an advanced democracy. "We just started. I can tell you in Nigeria we are on the right track," he added.

"The overall result represents a minor setback for the Christian Democratic Party and its former alliance, because they recorded a drop in the overall representation in the Bundestag, the German parliament," said Abubakar Umar Kari, a lecturer at the University of Abuja.

Read more: Political cartoonists paint dark picture of German election result

"It also signals the resurgence of the ultra-nationalist party, the AfD, whose position on immigration and Muslims should send very disturbing signals not only to Germany or to Europe, but the rest of the world."

Andrew Wasike, Nairobi

"We have been watching this news on TV, did you see any protests? Did you see any people being killed? Have you seen any police injustice? This is what Kenyans should learn from the Germans," said Adrian Otieno, who spoke to DW after watching Germany's election coverage.

"We should have free, fair and credible elections, I want to praise the Germans, for having free, fair and credible elections, that's what we want, we need a change!"

"My opinion is that if the German people can hold elections while at the same time hosting the Berlin Marathon without any troubles, yet we in Kenya are searching for an election date with every side saying they want a certain date," said Beatrice a resident of  Nairobi. "I am really urging Kenyans to emulate the Germans," she added.

Alex Gitta, Kampala

German elections in Uganda were followed by a few elite voters. Some of them told me they admire the maturity of the whole electoral process. Angela Merkel losing seats, but pledging to win back lost voters is just rare in Uganda.

"Merkel's party lost a number of seats and while she was speaking on Sunday she said her party would look into reasons as to why they lost," said Janet Kobusinguzi, a law student at Makerere University. "I think we need such a thing in Uganda. In Uganda, a loser would be running to court."

Isaac Kaledzi, Accra

Ghana and Germany have enjoyed strong relations for 60 years hence the interest by many in Sunday's German elections. Though Chancellor Angela Merkel has been re-elected, many said they were surprised by the weakening of her coalition party and the gains made by her political opponents. Ghana also witnessed its own electoral surprises when current president, Akufo Addo, defeated former president John Dramani Mahama.

Evelyn Kpadeh, Monrovia

Following Angela Merkel's fourth-term re-election as Germany's chancellor, some Liberians have congratulated her upon her victory. 

"I personally as a Liberian think what men can do, women can do better. This is why Angela [Merkel] was elected for the fourth term in Germany. I think it is unprecedented in politics," said John Prosper Narmayan, a former government official under Johnson Sirleaf's predecessor and warlord Charles Taylor.

"Our constitution in Liberia forbids anyone going more than two terms and that is the reason President [Ellen Johnson] Sirleaf may not have the opportunity to contest again, and she doesn't want to be like most of those East African countries that are now changing their constitutions to allow their president to run perpetually."

"The winning of Madam Angela [Merkel] for the fourth term is a fine thing," said youth activist Emmanuel Gibson. "Comparing women coming to power in Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson [Sirleaf] is like the gateway for women coming to power and since then, there have been lots of women participating and some winning key positions. But the question is whether we can have another women coming to power in Liberia?"