Home  Editorials Africa's Yearn for Democracy, Human Rights
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Africa's Yearn for Democracy, Human Rights |
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Saturday, 31 December 2005 |
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Why are then most African governments abandoning the idea of democracy, the rule of law and the respect of human rights? The answer is simple. Greed! ?Power! The rulers of Africa do not learn from history. Greed and hunger for power have led humanity to wars and genocide. Should Africa and the world keep quite in the face of atrocities committed by the leaders of Africa against their own peoples? Africa and the international community are doing their very best in the effort for smooth democratic transitions in Africa. Despite the efforts of the West to encourage African governments to adopt democracy as the only way for social and economic development, these governments are resorting to force in order to quell the struggle of the people for a better future. African cannot continue to keep quite in the face of such repression. Something has to be done. A mechanism should be sought to promote democracy in Africa. Of course, one of the ways is for the industrialized nations to link external assistance to economic and political reforms put in place in the individual country. This will help to pave the way for democratization in the individual African country and encourage African peoples and their opposition leaders to step up their struggle against dictators and to push forward for the formation of a more democratic form of government.??
Although the industrialized countries and international organizations provide African governments with economic assistance to support the democratic movement in Africa, most governments in Africa are not responsive to the needs of their citizens who are languishing in poverty, disease and illiteracy. Democracy is meant to overcome the problems of underdevelopment. In light of this, support for Africa’s democracy should depend on ability of African government to address the legitimate economic, political and social needs of their peoples.??
How long will the West continue to rub shoulders with African dictators? Of course, fighting terrorism is a national priority for all –Africa, the United States, Europe and the international community. Well fighting terrorism and establishing a sophisticated security system in the country demands the need to get the cooperation of the people of that country for information. But if people and governments are at odds, people will become indifferent and the government will be left alone as a lame duck as the situations in some African countries reveal. Then how does one expect African governments to be staunch supporters of the antiterrorist camp? Here, it is important to point out that these governments should be scrutinized very carefully because of their wavering and insecure position. The character of these leaders reveals the fact that they will do all at their disposal to remain in power. So, it is in the best interest of the United States and European countries and Africa to check on African leaders if they are trusted allies of the West in the fight against terrorism.
However, with the deepening of the democratic movement in Africa, some of the leaders of Africa have started to pull back the wheel of the democratic revolution by imprisoning opposition leaders and crushing the very democratic organizations they have created. Not only this. They have started to feel that they own the freedom of the people. To the contrary, the desires of people for democratic change is gaining momentum in Africa.People in Africa realize that democracy is their inalienable right not given by their governments. After all, democracy is about the choice of people. It is about electing their representatives. People get tired of seeing the same leaders for a decade or more. This calls for limiting the tenure of office for African leaders to remain in power by introducing it into the constitutions of their respective country. African leaders should not be allowed to continue to rule as long as people do not want them. The peoples of Africa would like to see new leaders with vision. Hence, African governments should respect the people’s inalienable rights to elect their leaders who can lead them to good governance, peace and prosperity thereby restoring the hope of the peoples of Africa to overcome poverty, disease and ignorance.?
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