The Alien Nature of Democracy in Africa

When Ghana's John Ata Mills won the election in 2008, we felt great. We were glad the western world had finally eaten its words. Maybe it was an early call. But Ghana did indeed make us in Africa proud. The elections took place when I was in York and I still remember the pride in a coursemate of mine, Portia Owusu,a Ghanaian herself. I was proud of Africa at that point and could not believe the far we'd come. Maybe Ghana was the exception. Maybe we thought like it set the stage for independence in Africa, it would set the pace for democracy. Were we wrong? Let's see two years down the road.

Tanzania has been the most peaceful country in East Africa. All has been well with it. I was born at a time when Nyerere was president in East Africa's most vast country. Over the years, Mwinyi, Mkapa and Kikwete have been presidents. Tanzania's elections have always seen the CCM make it to power without any hustle. The most volatile region has always been the island of Zanzibar. The mainland always had it good. This year, the younger generation born in the 80s seems to have matured and started questioning a lot about Tanzania. Had Nyerere's Ujaama killed a great state? Has CCM done enough for the youth? What type of education is there? What of the social services. Tanzania's electoral system is quite strange and so once results are released, there can be no court injunction. Well, it's been argued Kikwete rigged massively to hold on to power. I do not know what to say. Zanzibar for the first time had a peaceful election and that of course made me smile.

Rwanda is one country that has come a long way. From the days of genocide to the present, it is a country that you once see in the news and are glad about. It has come a longer way than Uganda on many fronts and yet, democracy seems to be an elusive concept in Rwanda. Before elections, we know that the opposition was really put down. There were allegations of fraud and rigging in the election and as usual, Kagame won. What did Uganda and her neighbours do? We clapped and were glad Kagame had been brought back. Of course the Rwandese may have a different story. Sometimes, these issues are hard to decipher. Rwanda's neighbour, Burundi was even worse. I never want to go there. I just love the closing of borders and all other strange things.

Guinea is a country that we have known for all the wrong reasons. The French seemed to leave it in a state of disarray when they gave power over to the Guineans. For 5 decades, there was no election. One military regime after another, all hope was lost for Guinea. Was it their fault? No one will ever know. But Guinea's decision to go to thels made some of us fear the outcome. Strangely, Konde won the election. He has been in prison and out of it and for him, this was a triumph for democracy. His ascent to democracy in a country where any democratic ideals have never been practised leaves a lot to the test. We can only wait and see how it goes.

Ethiopia has made many laugh! It is one country that seemed to want peace in Somalia. It is graced with great democratic ideals (or should I say subtle undemocratic patterns). The EPRDF made many Ethiopians think twice about many things and the youth again started questioning the powers that be in the horn of Africa. Surrounded by political turmoil, Ethiopia would be an odd man out. However, Meles Zenawi seems to be ready to be PM and the rest is yet to be seen. Of course many question the legitimacy of his hold on to power.

Egypt is one of those that you do not know what to say a thing about. The opposition has been clamped down and no one seems bothered. Of course, the Moslem Brotherhood is beaten at all fronts because of its extremism. But, Egypt is the type of country where Islam still has a tinge of fundamentalism. Christians are barred from many things which are political. Egypt's new law puts women at the helm of decision making, especially now that they have a vote to parliament. But, the elections of Parliament leave a lot of unanswered questions. We can be sure the ruling party shall win next years presidential elections because the parliament is 80% ruling party. Question is, were elections free and fair? Why is the opposition coming to fire with the ruling party and pulling out? Let's wait for next year.

The saddest tale goes to Ivory Coast. It is one country that we felt should taste peace for long and yet all seems to have gone to the wind. The present impasse shows a lot about democratic processes in Africa. When a presidential candidate can tear up election results being released by the electoral commission, we know all has gone damp. Ivorians know their history well. Civil war ate up the country for long and we did not care. Our country was fine (or was it?). Alassane Outarra won the free and fair vote yet Laurent Gbagbo seems determined to hold on to the reins of power. When one has the army's support, they can have their way. We saw it in Uganda, have seen it in many other countries in the world. When Botswana's president told Gbagbo to let go of power, I felt proud. Other presidents have cowed and kept silent. Ivory Coast shows us the fallacy behind African elections. We shall definitely say nothing about that. But, if there is an electoral commission and a constitutional commission that verifies results, then there's bound to be questions about legitimacy of constitutionalism.

The story goes on and on. Africa makes us aware of the bleak world, a dark perception of power struggles. Is democracy alien? Do we live in a world where power is absolute? Swaziland has a monarchy and yet the absoluteness of this monarchy is almost not there. Are we going back to the days of Shaka where power was vested in the hands of one person? Are we failing to see sense in the fact that times change and because of dynamic processes, Africa needs to move on? We have become a laughing stock. When one says that the Ivorian People's voice has been heard and that the UN, EU and AU have no say regarding Ivorian issues, many of us cringe. The west will always have the last laugh. Annoyingly, this laugh shall go on and on and on.

We live in our days prior to colonialism. Africa has failed to awaken the present. It still lies asleep in the past. That hurts and yet that seems to be its perceived reality. Basing on great empires makes me aware of one thing: democracy is alien to Africa. Question is, are we going to live this way forever?

Over to you!