Owusu on Africa: Why no serious Africanist downplays democracy

By Fidel Amakye Owusu

Admittedly, democracy as practiced in Africa is largely an adopted concept, and in some instances, an “imposition” from colonialism.

At the dawn of independence in many African territories, European colonial administrations had laid down the rules of engagements in respect of the modus operandi of politics. Africans had less say.

Even in countries like Angola and Mozambique where independence had been abruptly granted, factions had agreed on some democratic principles after long civil wars.

Yes, modern democracy had not evolved in Africa. However, it appears it answers most of the problems and aspirations in the continent.

The very make of most African states requires democracy and its principles to hold them together. African states mostly have multiple ethnicities that require participation and pluralism to ensure effective nation-building. One group cannot “own” power indefinitely. Even though the borders of states were also the creation of colonialism, they have remained almost intact – in fact.

Democracy, when well practised, offers the principles that encourage participation, inclusiveness and accountability. This helps build states that have multiple ethnicities with unique characteristics.

Ethnic dimensions

Also, the aspirations of Africans, one of which is continental unity, can be achieved with democratic principles. Many Africanists believe unity will help consolidate Africa’s standing. That’s right. However, the only way that can be achieved is when the people lead it. This is possible with democracy.

Strong autocratic leaders deciding the future of Africa while oppressing their populations would not result in anything solid. The people are integral, and democracy provides a durable platform.

Again, the socio-economic and human security challenges on the continent are better addressed not by despotic leaders and regimes. It takes effective planning and healthy debates to find long-lasting solutions to these challenges—democracy provides the platform.

While many have mentioned China and the East Asian Tigers as examples of how authoritarianism has resulted in development, they ignore the ethnic dimensions in these societies. South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan have populations that are “mostly” homogenous. Most African states are different.

Even on security, more democratic states are likely to be stable in the long term. Today, despite the military juntas taking power in Mali and Burkina Faso with the excuse of ensuring security, Nigeria and Somalia are doing better in the fight against extremism. The last two are “relatively” democratic.

Whichever way we look at it the situation on the continent does not call for the domination of politics by some few.”

Fidel Amakye Owusu is an International Relations and Security Analyst. He is an Associate at the Conflict Research Consortium for Africa and has previously hosted an International Affairs program with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He is passionate about Diplomacy and realizing Africa’s global potential and how the continent should be viewed as part of the global collective.