Africa is a continent on the eastern hemisphere, south of the Mediterranean and adjoining Asia on the North-east. Around the 18th century, Africa became the home of black people who returned from labouring on plantations in the Americas and Europe. It became heavily partitioned and colonized by powerful nations in search of mineral and other natural resources during what was referred to as the scramble for Africa. Despite all of these, the continent has over the years been plagued with series of armed conflicts that led to some of the World’s worst atrocities ever recorded in human history. These occurrences are largely responsible for the backward situation in Africa today, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for the least developed part of the World. However, the underpinning factor that has been determined to be chiefly responsible for the retrogressing trend in Africa is the issue of bad or undemocratic governance within African States.
The term “sovereignty” has transitioned from an Anglo-French form of sovereignty to Middle English sovereignty. The word came into formal usage around the 14th century. The current nation or state sovereignty is often traced back to the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), which in relation to states, codified the basic principles of territorial integrity, border inviolability, and supremacy of the state. Sovereignty in modern sense exists and can be discussed in many forms and contexts, few of which are absoluteness, exclusivity, de jure, and de facto, non-state, amongst others. Sovereignty is usually exercised within borders where the rights of sitting governments are respected and not are not influenced by external authorities. The key elements of sovereignty in the legalistic sense is that of exclusivity of jurisdiction. Specifically, when a decision is made by a sovereign entity, it cannot generally be overruled by a higher authority-usually another state.
Historically, the international Community is led by some of the World’s most powerful nations that treat sovereignty because of interest. For instance, powers that once colonized countries in Africa have continued to exercise, if not control, implicit guidance in the governance processes over their former colonies. Regime change, for example in many of these developing countries has been largely influenced by their former colonizers. The United Nations took a definite step in dealing with sovereignty and non-interference of states as contained in Article 2 of its Chapter stating in principle that nations are entitled to the exercise of their inalienable rights to self-determination and national independence. This enables states to decide freely on their own future to uphold the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
As a result of upholding the basic tenant of sovereignty wherein big and small nations can freely exercise their rights and decide their destiny, some individuals who come to power in Africa soon turn to be dictators, tyrants, and despots. They often abuse the rights of citizens in many forms and do everything to perpetuate themselves in power. For instance, Mabutu Sese Seko ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, for a period of 30 years. He amassed huge wealth from the country’s resources and diverted billions of dollars in his personal accounts abroad. He was removed from office by a military revolt led by Laurent Kabila. Kabila was in turn killed after a brief period in office and was replaced by his son Joseph Kabila.
Gnassingbe Eyadema became one of Africa’s longest serving heads of state. He came to power through a military takeover. He manipulated all the electoral processes in his 38-year reign and exited the Presidency of Togo only at his death. His son took over from him and still rules the Republic of Togo. Muamar Gadhafi ruled the people of Libya for over four decades and sponsored some of the violent conflicts in Africa. Liberia is an example of one of those countries victimized by Gadhafi’s sponsored rebel wars. Omar Bongo also spent 42 years as President of Gabon and his conscience would not caution him that he was holding onto the people’s power for too long. That country is having a rough transition from the overthrow of his son that was leader on that country.
Liberia had its share of dictatorship under President William V.S. Tubman who ruled the country for 27 unbroken years. Out of that, Liberia has had its own bad experiences including the killing of President Tolbert and a 14-year Civil War. Robert Mugabe officially became Zimbabwe’s President in 1980, apart from the eight years spent in what was known as the Liberation struggle with black nationalists of Zanu and Zapu against white rule in the former Rhodesia. He held onto power for so long in Zimbabwe. Paul Biya has been President of Cameroon for more than 26 years and had declared that he could continue holding on to power until otherwise. The constitution of Rwanda has been amended to accommodate a third term for President Paul Kigame
AS I SEE IT, the instances above are clear evidence that Africa has suffered and continues to suffer from dictatorships in the name of sovereignty. When will Africans realize that “power” the world over is all about- maintaining it, protecting it, and consolidating it in the best interest of the people-they will it-they (Africans) will elect the right leaders. Let’s learn from these few instances and keep Africa save by upholding the true values of democracy. The suffering people of Africa need to benefit from the desired outcomes of peace and economic growth and development. Let those who have ears hear.
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