"There can only be one type of democracy and that is the democracy
that recognizes certain pristine notions... "(Muyiwa Falaiye).*
Democracy, no doubt, remains the best form of government in Africa. As a
result of the dictatorial leadership of our colonial masters, it is
only logical to give power back to the people, after independence.
Universally and roughly speaking, democracy refers to a government of
the people, by the people, and for people. It is a form of government
that gives power to the people, and this is what Africa needs.
Unfortunately, democracy has been altered and excessively polluted here
in Africa.
Africa pretends to practice western democracy, whereas
the political modus operandi, is "African Democracy". In other words,
while other Continents practice western democracy, Africa settled for
"African Democracy". This gives us a dichotomy between "democracy in
Africa" and "African democracy". The former is western democracy without
any alteration, while the latter is democracy entangled with African
cultural values.
Historically speaking, the status quo in most
African nations was the practice of African democracy. Apart from our
communal societal setup, African democracy was in existence, even before
the advent of our colonial masters. In precolonial African societies,
African democracy allowed the ruling 'party' to conceive the opposition
'party' as an enemy. An enemy that will sought any means to destroy the
ruling 'party'. But when the British came, they introduced their own
western democracy which allowed the opposition party to act as a
checkmate to the ruling party. Also, in this kind of governmental
system, the opposition party is expected to give constructive criticisms
to the ruling party, not destructive criticisms. This kind of system
was indeed alien to most African Societies. But unfortunately,
particular during the early post colonial era, this pure democracy being
introduced by the British, was abandoned and most African Countries
either practiced half of this democracy (which led to the practice of
today's African democracy), or nothing of it. It was at this point that
western Democracy was excessively polluted with cultural values.
Due
to the wide spread of this African democracy, ordinary people no longer
have a voice in politics. African democracy is simply filled with
inequality, corruption, nepotism, and so on. Perhaps this is why most
African Countries are underdeveloped today. As a Continent who recently
got liberated from the claws of colonial dictatorship, African democracy
is not what we need right now.
At this juncture, it is paramount
to add that I am not advocating for the total eradication of our
cultural values. Rather, I am advocating for the total exclusion of our
cultural values from our politics. There is nothing wrong with our
African cultural values. But amalgamating cultural values with western
democracy, involves rendering a grotesque view of the very concept of
democracy. For instance, our cultural values demands that we respect our
elders, and the young boys have no business in the discussion or
dealings of our elders. In fact, a young boy has no right to question
the views of our elders. In a Democratic setting, this is outright
inequality. Democracy, demands that everybody involved in the political
institution of their society, should have equal rights, no matter their
age. So you see, there is a conflictual lacuna between our cultural
values, and western democracy. Other examples of these cultural values
includes, Godfatherism (a political figure who determines who rules, and
is also frequently worshipped by young "godsons"), the power to rule
being in the hands of a specific class of wealthy individuals, and so
on.
My point is, democracy should be a government of equality,
free from all forms of Godfatherism, and where people have equal
participatory rights, whether directly or representatively, no matter
their age. Hence, democracy should not be situated or practiced within
the confines of cultural values. Doing this, amounts to distorting the
very concept of democracy. Unfortunately, this is what is being done in
Africa here.
Democracy is a government by the people. They decide
the kind of ruler they want. Albeit, some scholars have argued that
democracy is not the best form of government for Africans, and their
reason for this, is the high rate of uneducated people in Africa. But
this also means that African leaders should occupy themselves with the
task of providing conducive atmosphere for learning, proper learning
facilities, and more establishment of schools and higher Institutions.
When this is done, the rate of illiteracy in Africa will be reduced
drastically, and Africans will elect their leaders in a complete
democratic setting.
Western democracy is the best form of
government for Africa. But the practice of African democracy, entangled
with cultural values, is like forcing a dagger into a Man's chest. In
the end, the man will die. Thus, something needs to be done. We can not
sit still and watch this Continent being pull to drift. "The greatest
problem facing Africa now, is the absence of ideology" (Franz Fanon). We
need to think, purvey ideas and act on these ideas. Our founding
fathers of independent Africa, (Azikwe, Nkrumah, Senghor, Peter Abraham,
Awolowo, Hastings Banda, Jomo Kenyatta, and George Padmore), all
purveyed ideas on how Africa can gain political independence, and they
acted on it. "Evil prevails when good men fail to act". Hence, I
challenge we youth as leaders of tomorrow, to put an end to this African
democracy (especially Godfatherism and political inequality), before it
becomes too late.
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