Dictatorship Politics in Africa - Essay Example

Dictatorship in Africa Governance in Africa is a that is receiving great concern and attention to many people in different parts of the world. Governance in African states has a wide history in the past decades before and after African colonialism. According to economic studies, most African countries have developing economies and some are developing at low rate. Historically, African governance has been subjected to various issues that have great effects to Africans in affected countries. Some of governance issues facing African governance include political conflicts, dictatorship, terrorism, tribal and civil wars and corruption. Dictatorship is one of the major governance issues attracting attention from researchers, sociologists, political scientists, unions, economists and other leaders from other parts of the world. African countries have been facing dictatorship ruling in governance since the end of colonization. The term dictatorship originated from the Latin word dictatura, meaning a dictation. Many writers have defined the dictatorship in different ways. For instance, according to Bobbio (1), dictatorship refers to a system of governance that result to exploitation of working population. Dictatorship refers to illegitimate form of governance. A general definition describes dictatorship as a governance system where absolute power is held by a small group of people or a dictator. All authority originates from a single person or a small group of people. The common form of dictatorship evidenced in several countries, in Africa is despotism dictatorship. In this form of dictatorship, a single entity of governance in the country exists with absolute power. The origin of dictatorship in Africa can be traced after the World War II. During the Second World War, many Africans were deployed and taken to war fields in different countries. These people gained experience and skills of fighting the Europeans. Later after they retrieved from war fields, they organized themselves in different ways to fight the Europeans in acquisition of independent. After African states became independent first leaders acquired absolute power over citizens and some became dictators. According to Brucker (1), African dictatorship originated as a form of violent rule in the first thirty years of African independence after the end of European colonization. However, the violent rule decreased in 1990s after a large number of African countries adopted democratic rule. Some states are still under dictatorship rule up to date. A number of factors have caused dictatorship in Africa. African parliaments are major contributors to dictatorship. He claims that most parliaments in African states are reluctant and driven by personal interests. Parliaments do not take actions that would affect presidents in their respective states. Secondly, African leaders have a sense of state ownership. For example, Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe once said that Zimbabwe is his own country. In some way, foreign influence from other countries has contributed to development and growth of dictatorship. Some developed countries support dictatorship rule in African in order to acquire resources easily. Foreign countries support dictatorship by provision of grants, loans, fire arms and market for their goods. Several countries in Africa have experienced adverse and mild effects of dictatorship rule for long and short periods. Uganda is among the most affected African states by dictatorship. Dictatorship in Uganda began in 1971 after the deposition of the first Prime Minister Milton Obote by a coup detet leader Amin. The new rule received great support and popularity in Uganda in the beginning but later lost its popularity. In his leadership, Idi Amin Dada committed numerous unbelievable brutalities in the world. For example, his reign resulted to death of 300000 people in Uganda. Dictatorship rule has also faced Zimbabwe since its independence. After Zimbabwe became independent states in 1980, Robert Mugabe has been the only Zimbabwean president. In his leadership, in Zimbabwe, Mugabe has been oppressing the white people by forcing them out of Zimbabwe and giving the blacks their property. As a racist, President Mugabe has been despising the white people referring to them as gays and lesbians. Other African countries that have faced dictatorship leadership include Cameroon under Paul Biya, Liberia under Charles Taylor, Guinea under Sekou Toure. Somalia has also experienced dictatorship under the leadership of Siad Barre. In Libya, it existed under the rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Togo under the leadership of General Gnassingbe Eyadema, Congo through the governance of Mobutu Sese Seko, Chad under Hissene Habre, Ethiopia under the governance of Mengistu Haile Mariam, Malawi under President Kamuzu Banda. Dictatorship in Africa is common among several countries. Dictatorial governments have both advantages and disadvantages. The following are the benefits of a dictatorial government. According to the ruler’s point of view, dictatorial governments are considered to be more powerful and efficient in carrying out their activities or duties to their citizens. In the case, there are antisocial or antigovernment forces they are easily put off. It helps to restore the condition of law and order in the country. Such governments do not spend time negotiating with those militia groups. It saves time that otherwise could have been used in discussion with those groups. Promptness in the state or administration can be seen because activities or laws are carried out at the discretion of the ruler. In addition dictatorship governments assure progress and prosperity of their citizens by taking a quick action. They rectify social and economic problems of the citizens as a step to legitimize the iron rule the leader has. Political stability is brought about and new projects and plans of social and economic development are implemented. It assures that the overall development of the country is implemented. Dictatorship also identifies or recognizes the element of quality and merit. Dictatorship is implemented on the principle of human inequality. It assumes that only selected few have the power or are legible to lead the country. It assumes that those in administration either have a talent or have unique qualities to lead others. In this method the lazy and the incompetent individuals are hence deprived the opportunity to mess around with power in the administration Dictatorship also enhances growth and prestige of the country. Weak state usually cannot protect the honor of the motherland. Under dictatorship a country usually strong and can cope with the outside forces that it encounters. The country is glorified and policy of blood and iron is usually pursued by the government to restore dignity of the country. Lost areas are captured back while humiliating treaties are overlooked. Also, enemies of the country are severely dealt. Dictatorship governments respond to emergencies effectively. Semuwemba highlights that countries led by dictatorship rule experience effective responses to emergencies since the dictator leader has the absolute power and decision in the state. Whenever the security or stability of the country is threatened the by a condition of war, external aggression or internal subversion, a dictatorial government respond efficiently to eliminate the problem from its source. However it is evident that dictatorial governments are always unstable. It is related to various factors. In most dictatorial governments, not every citizen is usually pleased with how the government operates. Therefore, existing antigovernment forces formed from the dictatorial government rebels. Those antigovernment forces usually puts pressure on the dictatorial ruler which later leads to war in the country. This leads to a number of disadvantages as follows: Dictatorship governments in Africa have abolished fundamental rights. This form of governments may deal with emergency situations efficiently, but this form of government may not suite normal times. Nobody can be entrusted with absolute or irresponsible powers. Power usually corrupts man and given absolute powers they corrupt y. In Africa, it is a lesson that the dictatorship assumes the reign of terror. Muammar Gaddafi ruthlessly suppressed the civil liberties and other rights. Force of fear was the foundation of their rule. Dictatorship has led to unstable governments in Africa. Dictatorship in its very nature leads to being not a stable form of governments. For example, Said Barre’s leadership in Somalia was overthrown by militia group. Later, the country went into a state of instability as a result of frequent wars between the government and the militia group leading to massive destruction of property and killings of innocent civilians. The country is still politically unstable due to fear that the next leader may be a dictator. After some years of the reign, it brings about excesses and misdeeds as in Libya and the Democratic republic of Congo. There is no guarantee that the successor in the dictatorial government will be a good leader. Dictators do not encourage the rise of a reader because he will later prove to be a rival to him. In a dictatorship government, the leader is always considered enemies of international peace. Dictators in Africa start with mad career of military conquest and territorial expansion which results into war. In Idi Amin Dada reign, in Uganda, he made enemies with neighboring countries due to his ambitions to expand his country border. It led to sanctions placed to country by neighboring countries as well some western countries. Dictatorship in Africa has been a force of violence. Dictatorship demands obedience. It forces uniformity and conformity of ideas and opinions among all people. In Idi Amin’s’ reign in Uganda over 300000 people died. It is as a result of a disagreement with the government regarded as a sin and suppressed without any mercy. Dictatorship crushes opposition to suppress any criticism of the dictatorial government as seen in Zimbabwe. As minimal or no opposition and criticism of the government is allowed, dictatorship leads to apathy of public life. It is due to no criticism is allowed. In dictatorial government, people are only required obey the leader. Citizens are obliged to follow the reader blindly wherever he leads them. Dictatorship, therefore, destroys the possibility of developing human personality and learning. Fascist Dictatorship spreads war and hostility. It is due to the act of open revenge seeking. For example, Muammar Gaddafi dictatorship caused hostility within Libya between the government and Protestants. Gaddafi reacted by using force against those protesting groups. This led to massive killing of innocent citizens. In addition, dictatorship rule in Uganda under the rule of Idi Amin Dada between 1971 and 1986 involved wars and hospitality in Uganda. Dictatorship is born with a sword in it hand and prepares for war of conquest. Fascist dictatorship does not encourage peace and friendship among nations. It also ridicules human brotherhood ideas and love. In conclusion, different contributors to the subject of dictatorship have different opinions. According to Abby Semuwemba, dictatorship is important and has social benefits to Africans. Semuwemba said that the presence of dictatorship shows that the government ruling has power to rule and it is effective. In addition, dictatorship rule is important since it aid in progress and prosperity of African people by facilitating actions. In his opinion, dictatorship recognizes element of merit and quality governance. However, his opinion faces a great opposition from many people who claim that dictatorship is evil and unacceptable in the society. According to Knutsen (2011), dictatorship is a source of social conflicts and civil wars in many African states. In addition, dictatorship results to embezzlement of resources and state funds by heads of states. Works Cited Ayittey, George. Why African dictators cling on to power. 15 June 2012. Web. 28 April 2014.(1) Bruckner. Is Africa Prone to Dictatorship? 28 October 2009. Web. 28 April 2014.(2) Knutsen, Carl Henrik. "The Economic Effects of Democracy and Dictatorship." Journal of Dictatorship (2011): 20-50. Document. Semuwemba, Abbey. THE FIVE MERITS OF DICTATORSHIP. 2 August 2010. web. 28 April 2014.(1) Read More