It seems African leaders are trying to
practise something called democracy, but most of them have failed in their
quest. My contention being that, whenever some of these African presidents
ascend to power, they end up ruling with an iron fist and succeed in weakening
the opposition parties.
Democracy on the other hand means government
by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the
people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free
electoral system. Such should see its people express their views without fear
or intimidation. Unfortunately, Africa's democracy has some way to go, and the
future on first sight may not appear as bright as we would expect.
Some of these leaders take political
prisoners inflicting inhumane treatments on those they term as political foes.
And in some of our countries, those who disagree and are upfront to make known
their disagreements could well be under a welter of political repression.
Moreover, the widely practised system of
winner takes all, merits a more conscientious scrutiny as it may very well have
contributed to wars, ethnic cleansing, and displacement of peoples as refugees.
It is a stark disappointment that while
Europe, America, Asia and other continents are booming with development and creating
wealth for their citizens through good governance and democratic principles;
the masses of Africa are getting poorer and more destitute year in and year
out. Such should awaken us to rethink the current systems and consider changes
that will inure to better systems.
Some African leaders have ruled for more than
necessary. Men like Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equitorial Guinea, Paul
Biya of Cameroon, Yahya Jammeh of Guinea, and not to forget the granddaddy
himself, Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe. At 91 years, like a steam train
that has long past its best, he is chugging along and still clinging to power.
Shall we enquire whether Zimbabwe does not have anybody else with sense and
ability to rule that country apart from him? Is that why he is bent on dying in
power?
This surely smacks of an assorted concoction
of a strange variant—perhaps an African variant—of what democracy is all about.
However, these totalitarian leaders are up to something. They have too much at
stake to hand over power and face the music for their many sins, their systemic
and expansive corruption, their gruesome murders, and having to stand trial for
heinous crimes committed against humanity.
Sadly, the African Union does not seem to
have a potent system in place to force these overstayers of leaders to quit for
better governance and rule of law to thrive. Instead these toothless AU leaders
see such notorious presidents as heroes or comrades in arms, leaving them to do
as they please.
The recent political turmoil in Burundi where
the sitting president Pierre Nkurunziza's second term had expired and he wanted
to bid for third term, which led to bloodshed and displacement of innocent
people as well as an attempted coup d'état in Burundi, is rather lamentable—all
because of a one man show.
The following week, the main opposition party
leader was gunned down in broad daylight in the city centre. However, African
Union leaders and East African governments watched unable to call this greedy
Nkurunziza to order. Why? Perhaps, it's because he is not (neither will ever
be) the first leader to change or manipulate the constitution for his selfish
purposes. He has the audacity to treat with contempt, a document which his
citizens believe enshrines the rules of governance.
At this state of affairs, the good people of
Africa must stand on their feet and make their voices heard across the world.
We must call an end in no uncertain terms to totalitarian rule or third term
rule for any incoming or outgoing president.
It may well be that if we are united and
forthright in our call, African leaders will understand what true democracy
means, and how it must be adopted and practised. In all sincerity, as it stands
now, African leaders are lacking behind as far as democratic rule is concerned.
In terms of good governance and human rights
issues, or typical democratic principles, it is a must to ensure that
opposition leaders, media and other agents of change, including traditional
leaders and local citizens are well protected, and have the freedom to express
their views without fear or favour.
In all, I may add that our democratic system
in Africa needs a requisite upgrade to another level. And the days of one
political party ruling forever in the name of African democracy, aided by
election fraud, must soon come to an end. And such dreams may very well be
someday realised.
After all, since Nigeria's independence about
55 years ago, it is only this year in 2015 that a ruling party, the People's
Democratic Party (PDP) has handed over power smoothly to an opposition party,
in this case, the All People's Congress (APC). Through this unprecedented
gesture, the good people of Nigeria have shown that we have a right to believe
change is possible, no matter how dark our night may be. Moreover, a country like
Ghana must be credited for changing governments smoothly in the Fourth Republic
without any violence. Even in disguise, if the previous election petition is
anything to go by, if it is a test of her developing maturity in democracy and
allowing the rule of law to operate and prevail; we may very well commend Ghana
for going down such a path.
Our situation is dire, but we must continue
to hope and believe that soon, the dawn will break where all African leaders
will understand and practise the tenets of true democracy.
God Bless Africa for many years to come.
Emmanuel Mante
Republic of Korea
Email: castrodefire1971@gmail.com
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