Challenges of Democracy and Political Stability in Africa - Term Paper Example

Challenges of democracy and political stability in Africa Executive summary African s have failed in entrenching liberal democracy in their political systems. Unfair elections and greed for political power is the leading cause of political conflicts. Some of the leaders misuse state security organs to suppress any opposition groups like the civil society and the media. Many African leaders perceive national elections as contests of who stays in power rather than a process whereby citizens freely determine their national leadership regimes. Interestingly, many of the long serving presidents in the world are from Africa. These leaders have perfected the art of using all manner of illegal tactics to remain in power such as vote rigging, detaining opposition leaders and altering the constitution. Some African leaders have objected the idea of multi-party democracy thus anybody seeking a political leadership opportunity should do so through one party which is controlled the by the incumbent president. The parliamentary systems are ineffective and weak since they are controlled by the executive. The main duty of the legislature is to oversee the smooth running and implementation of government policies but African governments have failed in this duty. The parliamentary systems is misused by the executive to rubber stamp the decisions of the executive while the judiciary lacks the independence to protect the constitution and civil rights. A flawed electioneering system and ethnic based politics will continue to precipitate political conflicts unless policy changes are implemented. Though the international community is greatly supporting Africa nations to implement full democratic and market-based economies, dictatorial leadership, unfair elections, diseases and unequal distribution of resources have hindered all the opportunities of ensuring democracy in several African countries. Natural resources like copper, gold and oil mining continue to be trafficked to foreign countries by corrupt leaders thus leading to low economic development of these conflicts. Unfair distribution of resources and underdevelopment of some parts of the countries, especially areas occupied by the marginalized ethnic communities is currently fueling ethnic-based conflicts for power and natural resources. Some leaders are busy utilizing the natural resources to fuel ethnic tensions and conflicts in order to remain in power. Thesis There are numerous challenges that have hindered entrenchment of liberal democracy in Africa. African countries will continue to experience political conflicts unless the leaders agree how to govern their multi-faceted nations and distribute economic resources equitably through out the nations (Kultgen 171). Democracy in Africa is hindered by the indigenous socio-cultural traditions that promote ethnicity and tribalism in governance. Citizens of various African countries have sought political stability and regime changes through coups and civil actions thus halting the economic development of these countries. Reforms to improve governance in Africa will result to economic, political, social and cultural stability. The bottom line of achieving these reforms is entrenching political democracy in leadership where every citizen has the opportunity to decide who governs the nation (Kultgen 172). However, many leaders try to manipulate the local conditions by controlling critical institutions such as the judiciary and security agencies in order to remain in power. Lack of accountability in political leaderships has forced such nations to struggle with issues of national integration and cohesion, and modernization of the governance structures. Apparently, political kinship, religion affiliations and ethnicity dictates who gets what share of power in governments. The US House of Representatives sub-committee on Africa of the Foreign Affairs advocates for the formation of independent institutions of governance in African nations such as the freedom of press, independent judiciary, and civilian control of the law enforcement agencies such as the police and military (Collins 156) Presentation African traditional societies and ethnic groups have enjoined their tribal political chiefs in ensuring only the dominant ethnic power controls the vast resources and remains in power at the expense of other minority ethnic groupings. More than half-century after post-colonial government, it is surprising that many African states have not achieved civil unity of purpose and political stability. African leaders themselves acknowledge that Western systems of democracy are impractical due to the deep-seated social and cultural characteristics of African Nations. However, Western countries such as the US and UK continue to exert a lot to pressure to African countries to embrace liberal democracy. For instance, New Partnerships for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is recognition by African leaders on the need to offer solutions to common problems such as insecurity, political related conflicts and diseases such as malaria that hinder economic development. NEPAD is committed to good governance and democracy while promoting peace and security (Collins 89). Africa citizens have observed that democracy and good governance is challenged by the lack of good faith of their leaders. The greed of money and power has hindered the adherence of the constitutions by the leaders. Many authoritative and dictatorial regimes are currently busy trying to extend their cling to power through foul means like altering the constitution to their personal interests or undermining the freedom of association and free expression. Nations such as Mali, Chad, Uganda, Libya and Egypt are the main victims of human rights abuses since the concept of separation of powers among the arms of the government have been ignored by the dictatorial regimes. Ignorance of the rule of law and judicial independence has been used to promote sectarian interests of the ruling elite (Kultgen 167). Another main challenge to democracy in African states is creating an inclusive government and society of equals. Africana leaders prefer the “victor takes all” mentality that has been inherited from Westminster system of democracy which is totally impractical in Africa due to cultural diversity of the populations. African leaders try to reject the concept of power sharing with other political parties even when it is in the best interests of the nation. For democracy and good governance to prosper, the rule of opposition should not be ignored. Some governments have misused the state security machineries to suppress the civil society organizations and the media which has been in the forefront in championing for corruption free governance. African women still occupy the lowest ranks of political leadership despite many United Nations resolutions urging African countries to promote the interests of women by ensuring their fair representation in political leadership and governance (Kultgen 171). African leaders are busy fostering ethnic hatred in order to remain in power. This is a notorious practice for especially countries like Rwanda and Burundi where main ethnic tribes like Tutsis and Hutus have unleashed bloody violence on each other. The “divide and rule” strategy of African leaders has been practiced since post-colonial period. Another challenge to liberal democracy is unfair elections. Countries like Kenya, Nigeria and Togo which have long boosted of advanced democratic principles in elections, have found themselves in state of embarrassment among the international community due to credibility of presidential elections. For instance, Kenya which has enjoyed political stability for decades was almost characterized as a failed state after the 2007 presidential elections to civil violence and death of more than 1,000 people. For African countries to achieve political stability, the respect of the electoral processes will ensure constitutional and peaceful transition of power from one regime to another thus ending instance of political-related violence (Collins 209). The collapse of the economies of many African countries due to mismanagement hinders the chances of achieving good governance. It is regrettable, that Africa harbors the highest number of poorest people in the world despite having more than half of the global natural resources such as precious mineral deposits like copper, iron, gold and oil deposits. Corruption and embezzlement of public funds by greed leaders has hindered the chances of many African countries being economically independent. For instance, mineral scandals of Congo and corruption in Zimbabwe have halted industrialization efforts in the two countries. Important economic actors such as the youth have suffered from poverty and unemployment due to illiteracy and lack of economic investments that are essential in creating employment opportunities (Kultgen 134). Constitutional instability has led to War-torn countries where basic human rights of the citizens have been neglected. Warring factions and ethnic militias led to the failed state of Somalia. Currently, international terrorist organizations are taking advantage of the political instability in some African countries such as Somalia, Egypt and Libya to establish terrorist training and terror planning bases in those countries thus increasing their terrorist network. Somalia is a clear example where Al-Shaabab militia which is blamed for most of the sea piracy incidents in Indian Ocean and multiple grenade attacks in Kenya has formally merged with the notorious Al-Qaeda which has terrorist based in Iraq and Afghanistan. The situation in Somalia can be blamed to lack of democracy and strong governance institutions that protect the basic human rights of all citizens regardless of the ethnicity of the individual. Kenya has been forced to host more than 500,000 refugees from Somalia who have been displaced by the on-going civil war which started in early 1990s (Collins 179). Ethnicity is a leading cause of conflict in Kenya. Some bloody conflicts such as Rwandan Genocide, civil wars in Nigeria, and on-going ethnic clashes in Darfur region of Sudan are some examples of how ethnicity is deep-rooted in Africa. Ethnic clashes between African militias and Arabian militias in Sudan have led to the death of more than 20,000 people. The complexity of African societal structures and politics paves way for ethnic mobilization in the electoral process thus leading to ethnic conflicts that undermine democracy (Collins 208). However, authoritarian regimes have recently been ousted out of power and democratic elections held in those countries. For instance, North African countries such as Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt recently experienced civil uprising that led to end of dictatorial regimes that were accused of human rights abused, suppressing free speech, and undemocratic governance. Political liberties remain constrained in Africa which dims the possible end of political conflicts and tensions in Africa. Strengthening democracy in Africa will entail the establishment of strong and independent national institutions to guard the constitution and rights of all citizens. Re-orientation of economic policies towards equitable development and demilitarization in the areas affected by militias will end the ethnic-based conflicts. The work of the mass media and civil society in highlighting injustices committed by the ruling elite cannot be ignored in strengthening democratic ideals in Africa. Summary There are inherent problems that hinder democratic governance in Africa nations. Democracy in Africa will require commitment of the leaders and re-organization of the political process. Re-adjustment of the economic policies to promote economic development and equal distribution of resources will ensure re-integration of minorities to the political decision making process. The role of the civil society and media cannot be ignored in pinpointing and challenging the undemocratic and corrupt practices of the dictatorial regimes. Civil control of the security agencies such as the military will ensure they are accountable to the citizens and not protecting the long established powerful regimes that are constantly looking for means of extending their stay in power. Political misrule has left many African states such as Burundi, Chad, Mali, Sudan and Libya politically destabilized and economically incapacitated with the population ravaged by diseases, poverty and illiteracy (Collins 111). Conclusion African nations must ensure independence of institutions that are critical in entrenching democracy. The respect of the rule of law, fair electoral processes and independence of the judiciary will foster democracy. African nations need to promote the freedom of free speech, activities of the civil society and accountable leadership in order to facilitate free transition of power from one regime to the other. Corruption, illiteracy and ethnicity are some vices that have hindered the attainment of liberal democracy. The rights of the minority groups such as women, youth and marginalized communities should be respected by ensuring equal representation of all interested groups in political governments. Economic growth and development, together with the equitable distribution of the resources will foster more democratic space in African nations. Africans need to unify their historical and cultural differences to participatory traditions of free will in electioneering and freedom of association. Democracy will promote peace and political stability while safeguarding the human rights of the citizens to free speech. African governments should prioritize the provision of public goods such as education, health care and rule of law. Elections should be administered by independent bodies that are not affiliated or controlled by any political party participating in the election. Works cited: Collins, Robert. Problems in the history of modern Africa. Princeton. Markus Wiener Publishers. 2008. Kultgen, John. Problems for democracy. Amsterdam. Rodopi. 2006. Read More