Re: How Can Democracy be Strengthened in African Countries?
Posted Feb 25, 2008 in the DemocracyGovernance category.
My CommentsName: Adzele Jones
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Home City/Town:
Home Country: Togo
Current place of residence: United States
Current Occupation:
Questions- You are free to answer all of them. Please try to answer at least 2 to 3 of them.
1. Article 4, paragraph g of the Constitutive Act of the African Union establishes the principle of “non-interference by any Member State in the internal affairs of another”. However, the following paragraph (h) declares “the right of the Union to intervene in a Member State pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.” At what point, in your opinion, is it appropriate for Member States to act against a government believed to be undemocratic, especially one that has persecuted its citizens? Why might some people oppose such intervention? Consider the current situations in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Instability in one country affects others and creates economic, public health and security problems. Military forces as a tool for intervention are no solutions. However when forces are used, they should be backed by diplomacy. With fewer resources to go around, economic sanctions often only affect the poor of the population unless it is only concentrated on the assets of the leaders. Moreover, a simple condemnation can only aggravate positions on the ground. As is the case of AU forces in Darfur and will likely be the case in Kenya and Zimbabwe. If military intervention must occur, it should be backed by regional organizations, legitimized by the UN, and with provided resources to succeed. Then, space will be created for internal dialogue. Internal problems are bettered by internal mechanisms for resolving conflict, and agreements thus crafted last longer.
2. Can the United States and the European Nations play a constructive role in collaborating with African governments in strengthening democracy? What, or what not, should that role consist of?
No one can teach others how to govern themselves. Democracy should be home grown. The first steps should be openness, transparency and accountability of public officials. However, we must also learn from each other. It would be unwise not to seek counsel, not to ask for assistance when needed, and not to learn from others including Europeans (former colonizers or not). The point is that the FINAL actions and decisions must be ours because we know our country needs and interests best. African political choices and economic policies need to be of the African people and serve our land.
3. Can you think of any aspects of American or European-style democracy that you believe have been unsuccessful in your country or others in Africa? If so, why, and what ideas do you have that might work better?
In theory, separation of power (executive, legislative and judiciary).
In practice, the check and balances has not worked in Togo and in other African countries in general. If the 3 institutions are well resourced, staffed and well run, they will create space for democracy building and sustainable development. It has not worked in Togo simply because these systems are based on the principles of democracy. Without free and open elections, Togo is far from taking the first steps toward a democratic system. The only thing that I will suggest is to begin to create a safe and violence free society.
4. To what extent does successful democracy depend on a strong, common sense of national identity? In what ways can ethnic, religious, linguistic, tribal, caste and regional identities be respected yet woven into common national identities? Can you think of any examples from your country or elsewhere?
5. Ideally, what do you believe the political role of the military should be in your country?
The military should be at the service of the country and not its governing body. The military have played a strong role in many African countries in a most devastating way. Corrupt leaders often in control of the military have used this body to intimidate, steal public money, and violate basic human rights with impunity. The role of the military has been so tarnished that I believe in order for it to play a productive role it must be reformed and professionalized. It also must change from ethnic armed forces to truly national ones. Then, the military will cease being the tool of one man, the president, and become a force at the service of the good of the entire nation. In a nutshell, the military could play a role, the one that protects and functions within a democratic system with violent free election.
6. What do you believe is the single biggest obstacle or challenge to democracy in your home country? How would you like to see it addressed?
The single biggest obstacle to democracy in Togo is the role of the military, and the long rule of the same president and his dynasty, for more than 4 decades (e. g. the new president, son of the late president, was first imposed by the military; then, he was forced by the international community to organize elections, which he ran and won with the opposition contesting the results).
I am not sure if this could be addressed in the near future but perhaps with proper procedures and influence from the AU and the International Community the next election could bring new changes. I will further suggest the following amendments:
– No one should serve more than two consecutive terms.
– In case a president serves two consecutive terms as a result of a free election, the successor should not be a member of the previous ruler’s family.
– If there is violence at the time of election the responsible running candidate should be automatically disqualified.
-Of course none of these will be possible if the system does not practice certain democratic ideals such as, balance of power, check and balance and free elections.
7. What social issues would have the best chance of being solved in your country as a result of greater democracy?
8. How can the rural and urban poor be given a role in political decision-making beyond the (sometimes very) occasional trip to the ballot box? Do you know of any efforts to “decentralize” power to the state, regional or village level in your home country?
9. Please discuss any issue related to strengthening democracy in Africa that you could not address by answering the previous questions. Any other questions we should ask?
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