A New Era for Democracy in Africa?
blurb:isstoday:020309afridemocracy
2 March 2009: A New Era for Democracy in Africa?
Multiparty democracy, as embodied in neo-liberal democratic theory, has been put forward as an appropriate response to opening up the political space and reducing possibilities of conflict. This model is deemed appropriate for Africa as it allows for adequate representation of the various ethnic groups that characterise African politics which, if not represented, would contribute to worsening the already conflict-ridden history of the continent. It implies that all major political actors must accept free and fair elections, the rule of law, the concept of majority rule with minority groups having the opportunity to partake in the national agenda, an independent news media, and civilian control over the military.
The African Union (AU) has played a critical role in the promotion and preservation of this concept on the continent, especially via its Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Given this important agenda, African Heads of State surprised the world by electing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as Chair of this critical body during its bi-annual summit earlier this year. This surprise emanates from a number of statements made during a press conference following the summit, on February 4th, by Gadaffi, as Chair of the AU. He unequivocaly stated that "We don't have any political structures [in Africa], our structures are social ... Our parties are tribal parties - that is what has led to bloodshed.". It is equally relevant to note that to build on this statement, he argues against the concept of democracy and goes as far as encouraging all to reject it and to rather adopt the system that is followed in Libya.
Libya operates as a Socialist state, represented by unelected leadership that may not be removed from office. As a socialist state, it rejects democracy as it operates in the rest of the continent and banned all political parties through the 1972 Prohibition of Party Politics Act Number 71. The Brother Leader himself acceeded to power via a coup d’état in 1969 and has stayed in leadership since then.
At the level of the AU, this system of governance has no support. The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance has as objective to promote adherence, by each State Party, to the universal values and principles of democracy. Article 3 has even more relevance as it calls for the respect for human rights and democratic principles ; access to and exercise of state power in accordance with the constitution of the State Party and the principle of the rule of law; the promotion of a system of government that is representative ; the holding of regular, transparent, free and fair elections; the effective participation of citizens in democratic and development processes and in governance of public affairs; transparency and fairness in the management of public affairs; condemnation and total rejection of unconstitutional changes of government; and strengthening political pluralism and recognising the role, rights and responsibilities of legally constituted political parties, including opposition political parties, which should be given a status under national law. Given this, a number of questions arise : How can a leader who does not believe in democracy be expected to promote this agenda ? How can a leader who acceeded to and maintains power via all that the African Charter rejects represent the AU and the African peoples?
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda expressed similar concerns in his statement during the plenary of the February summit and cautioned that the new leader be accompanied by Presidents Meles Zenawi and Jakaya Kikwete from Ethiopia and Tanzania for all foreign engagements. How can a seemingly unrepresentative leader be expected to promote the agenda of a united continent ? The world, and the continent most importantly, will watch this tenure with concern and hope that the little democracy that has been achieved in Africa will not be thus destroyed.
Nadia Ahmadou, Junior Researcher, African Security Analysis Programme, ISS Tshwane (Pretoria)
