Obama Should Inspire Africa`s Generation Y
blurb:isstoday:24062008obama
24 June 2008: Obama Should Inspire Africa’s Generation Y
Senator Barack Obama’s historic nomination as the US Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, earlier this month, is a triumph over marginalisation and cynicism. It proved that the perennial lack of participation by young people in formal political processes has more to do with political alienation than political apathy and disaffection. There are lessons in it for Africa. Generation Y (under 30) voters were instrumental in the Obama victory. Likewise, Africa’s Generation Y offers the greatest potential for change on the continent - both for accepting and effecting change.
Obama’s victory reverberated globally. It was a poignant event, especially for Africans who claima part of Obama’s heritage. As the Kenyan Daily Nation observed, one would have been forgiven for thinking that Obama was poised to become either the President of Kenya, or of Africa. His victory comes against the backdrop of the rolling back of democratic gains in many of the countries on the continent, as reflected by events in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Obama’s achievement has a lot of resonance for Africa’s youth who currently feel disenfranchised. Generation Y voters in Africa constitute the largest voting segment of the population, yet power still rests with the older generation which has consistently failed to connect with them.
Kenya’s 2007 general elections attracted an extraordinary number of Generation Y voters. Unfortunately, the subsequent political fallout over results and violence may have resulted in a massive loss of faith by the youth in one of the basic tenets of a working democracy: the electoral process. With other crises of legitimacy for various African governments - from Zimbabwe to South Africa and Egypt - it seems the continent’s Generation Y has little to hope for.
Obama’s achievement should herald a new dawn for the continent’s political landscape. His meteoric rise to the top should inspire Africa’s Generation Y to finally walk the talk and start active participation in governance. If not, we will continue hearing the perennial slogan that the youth are the leaders of the future - even if they are in their 50’s.
The numbers indicate that over 6 million young people cast their votes in this year’s US presidential primaries. This is more than double the turnout of 2004 or 2000, and by every indicator this trend is likely to continue. The majority of these young people voted for Obama.
Africa’s youth can equally rise up to the challenge of spearheading the fight against increasing political instability and social injustices on the continent.
Going against conventional wisdom, Obama courted the youth, whose engagement in formal political processes like voting and running for office is poor.
Members of this group are likely to be cosmopolitan, technologically savvy, more inclusive, and hold values that are relatively different from the ones their parents held at a similar age. The same characteristics can be applied to the youth in Africa.
Youth rely on their peers or internet websites for news and information. Their disinterest in politics that divides tends to result in their withdrawal from the formal political processes. However, research shows that they do participate in other forms of political expression at community level.
Obama’s achievement with this generation is even more remarkable considering their profile. Embodying change with a balance, one that is trans-generational, trans-racial and politically inclusive, he reached out to them and dared them to get involved. He became the voice that spoke for Generation Y’s hopes and dreams for their country after the polarizing politics of the past two decades.
The US presidential primary also signified an acknowledgement by Americans of their diversity. Obama overcame historical injustices and racial stereotyping, turning an element of division into one of strength to effect a revolutionary change. African leaders still look back to avoid responsibility perpetuating a culture of victimhood. Furthermore, Africa’s cultural diversity is often used by its leaders as a basis for violent conflicts. Obama’s feat should embolden Africa’s Generation Y to challenge therecurrent ethnic politics and mould a new political direction for the continent. Their positive political engagement should not be delayed. Time lowers their expectations of the political system – the longer it takes, the more they are likely to embrace reactionary opinions. They are also likely to view the culture of impunity, corruption and abuse of public office as a given.
Obama epitomises hope for Africa’s Generation Y not to give up on their continent because of bad leadership. Like the Americans, Africa’s Generation Y should be ready to engage in the formal political change that the Obama wave has unleashed in the world.
Deborah Akoth, Researcher, Environmental Crime Project, ISS Nairobi
