The Inevitability of Tragedy, By Oluwaseun Abosede

Last week, we x-rayed ECOWAS looming war in Niger and its resultant effects in the neighboring countries. I’d thought it was done and dusted and would be the last of such military coup d’etat in Africa. Apparently, it was a wrong submission. Therefore, there’s a need for a review and even go beyond ECOWAS and look at the developing ugly scenarios in Africa

Africa is falling apart as a continent. Concisely, the continent is firmly tied to bad leadership, corruption, religious bigotry, ethnocentrism, nepotism, and lack of socio- political unity even in this 21st century when the world is embracing social development, economic stability, and general improvement in all materials spheres!

Despite the political stability and democratic governance prevalent in other continents across the ocean, Africa’s prevailing trend is one of autocracy and flawed democracy. It’s characterized by elected officials who stay in office for multiple terms, outright military coups to overthrow democratically elected presidents, or individuals declaring themselves as lifelong presidents. Until the recent counter-coup that ousted him, Ali Bongo held the people of Gabon under his control, denying them their democratic aspirations. Together with his father’s term, he had a 56-year presidency. Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea served for 44 years before a military intervention, and Paul Biya of the Republic of Cameroon has been in power for 41 years, still claiming to be a democratically elected president. Yoweri Museveni of Uganda is currently in his 37th year as president. This list is far from exhaustive. Out of the 54 African countries, more than 20 are either under military rule or have experienced extended presidencies of over two decades by a single leader who claims to be democratically elected. What, then, is democracy? Periodic free and fair elections are a fundamental pillar of democracy, and its absence inevitably leads to anarchy.

African leaders seldom heed the call to prioritize the welfare of their citizens or act in the best interest of the people. Accountability is rarely their watchword. They primarily rule to benefit their inner circle and immediate family economically, rather than for the well-being of their citizens.

Since the arrival of the Portuguese in Africa in the 1400s during their exploration of the sea, African leaders have often subjected their people to suffering through neoliberal and neocolonial policies, often in favor of significant foreign economic interests, at the expense of the indigenous population. They fail to realize that without free and fair elections, good governance with a human touch, and smooth transitions, democracy cannot and will not thrive. When democracy falters, when the negative aspects of life outweigh the positive aspects of governance, and when the “situation” affects everyone, including future generations, then democracy becomes hopeless. And in the face of hopelessness, people will seek alternatives. As they say, “nature abhors a vacuum.”

It should be made clear that the rising military interventions in Africa, akin to the Arab Spring movements, will lead the continent toward disaster. These interventions often start with a cry for help but can quickly turn into oppressive regimes once those in power are satiated.

Africans must, as a matter of utmost urgency, rise above the facade of organizations like the African Union and come together for a conference to exercise their will and break free from the modern slavery orchestrated by local actors. All hands must be on deck to demand resolute action against indigenous enslavement, exemplified by incidents like the one in Nigeria where the Senate President, Senator Akpabio, casually announced the unsolicited deposit of millions of Naira into senators’ accounts during a brief recess while the masses were suffering from hunger. Such occurrences are a clear violation of the dignity of the Nigerian people and are not limited to Nigeria’s government alone; they are pervasive across African nations. African leaders must confront this issue head-on and create a society where the dignity and rights of every individual are respected.

Until these critical changes are made, Africa teeters on the precipice, and tragedy will inevitably continue to loom large over our lives.

 

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not represent the opinions or views of Osun Defender