AFRICAN DEMOCRACY? FACT OR FICTION PT.II

There is no doubt that Africa boasts of a plethora of cultures and histories. From the direct democracy of the “Umunna” in Igbo land, Nigeria, to the chiefdom of the Zulus in South Africa, the continent sustained itself on its various political institutions. Now, these institutions have been replaced by the widely practised Western system of democracy. Many firmly believe that this democracy has trapped Africa in a perpetual state of dependence on the Western world – economic, managerial and much more – insisting that it has done more harm than good. For example, financial dependence on the Western world has led to the exploitation and corruption of African leaders. Is the adoption of this democratic system a factor for corruption, or has this systemic approach to governance exposed the inherent faults of African leaders? Myriads of benefits of adopting this democracy have been constantly overlooked. Establishing the rule of law, government accountability, peaceful transition of power, and creating a conducive environment for economic growth are just some of the non-exhaustive advantages of adopting Western democracy. 

Human Rights and Western Democracy

One of the most empowering aspects of adopting Western democracy into the African system is the protection of human rights based on the rule of law. This means that nobody—no matter how wealthy or influential they might be—is above the law. It's a powerful tool that gives every citizen a voice and a sense of justice. 

Has an individual physically violated you? Report it to the police. In a well-functioning society, the police escalate this to the appropriate authorities, and you will receive justice for the violation. The same goes for financial crimes, political crimes, and anything that may breach your human rights as a citizen of an African country. In pre-colonial Africa, the likelihood of a regular citizen receiving restitution after being wronged was low. Many governance systems were characterized by classism and restricted opposition, especially to wealthy and influential individuals. Introducing democracy has strengthened institutions that wouldn’t even exist in the first place, like the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IBEC) in Kenya, which ensures fairness in all electoral processes. 

Without a doubt, human rights have been violated time without number, even with the 

adoption of Western democracy. For example, the arrests of opposition party supporters in Tanzania in 2024, the outright violation of the right to life in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the past couple of months, and the suppression of freedom of speech in Eritrea are just a few instances. These terrible situations have been birthed by inconsistency in the implementation of democratic standards and a lack of acknowledgement of the jurisdiction of certain groups in society. 

Democratic nations also tend to have stronger institutions that uphold the rule of law, reducing human rights abuses, ethnic conflict, and political repression. This progress, while not perfect, offers a framework within which societies can evolve, correct injustices, andimprove over time. It's a testament to the potential of African governance. From this emphasis on human rights of citizens, democracy fosters a political environment that is attractive to investment and economic development. Private investors are confident to invest in Africa because – to an extent – systems are transparent, regulatory frameworks are established and free markets are encouraged, owing to the reforms from democracy. 

What’s the consensus? 

After considering the benefits and costs of the Western democratic system on African soil, you might wonder: With all the challenges African nations encountered with Western democracy, is it the inherent nature of the system of governance or the way Africa has adopted it that’s the problem? Regardless, we can mold the Western democracy to what works for our society. African nations have the same opportunity—to mold democratic principles in ways that reflect local traditions and governance practices while maintaining core values of transparency, accountability, and representation.

~Nwadinma Amuchaezi, Assistant Editor 24/25 Committee

References:

Image link: https://democracyinafrica.org/as-the-opposition-wins-in-senegal-is-democracy-in-africa-really-backsliding/ (Accesses 18th March, 2025).