Μπορεί να ηχήσει όπως ένα κακό αστείο, αλλά η λυπημένη αλήθεια είναι ότι το βραχύβιο πείραμα της Αφρικής με τη δημοκρατία αντιμετωπίζει τους σκληρούς χρόνους.

Από τη Νιγηρία στη Ζιμπάπουε, την Κένυα στην Ακτή του Ελεφαντοστού και την Ουγκάντα στο Καμερούν, το γράψιμο είναι στον τοίχο. Το πείραμα με τη δημοκρατία έχει πάρει δυστυχώς επικίνδυνο έναν nosedive.

Τα πρόσφατα πολιτικά γεγονότα δείχνουν μια κρίση της τίμιας, δεσμευμένης και δημοκρατικής ηγεσίας. Αυτό ειρωνικά, είναι παρά τις προόδους στην εκπαίδευση και το intellectualism. Είναι επίσης παρά τις επιρροές της παγκοσμιοποίησης και των νέων όρων που έχουν εξελιχθεί για την κρατική δύναμη και πώς πρέπει να ρυθμιστεί προς όφελος της κοινωνίας.

Οι αποκαλούμενοι δημοκρατικοί ηγέτες της ηπείρου υπονομεύουν ανοιχτά τη θέληση των ανθρώπων και δεν λαμβάνουν υπόψη τα εθνικά συντάγματα όπως συνεχίζονται με τους κακούς τρόπους της άγριας δωροδοκίας και της ανεξήγητης ηγεσίας. Οι εορτασμοί που ανακοίνωσαν τη δημοκρατική αλλαγή στη δεκαετία του '90 έχουν εξασθενίσει βαθμιαία στις καλυμμένες κραυγές της απελπισίας. Όλο και περισσότερο, οι απλοί άνθρωποι βρίσκονται αφαιρούμενος από τα κέντρα της δύναμης, που περιθωριοποιείται και που μειώνεται στους ανίσχυρους θεατές ως πολιτικοί ηγέτες οι φίλοι και οι οικογένειές τους απολαμβάνουν τη δύναμη.

It is simply absurd to see Zimbabwe helplessly held to ransom by Mugabe’s adamant refusal to accept an electoral verdict handed him by the people through an open and fair election process. The 84-year-old is not about to give up the reins of power even as his country sinks deeper into economic ruin.

The recent elections in Zimbabwe revealed that African politicians demonstrate little or no sense of dignity and respect for political transition. And since they bring little or no dignity to public office, they are mortally fearful of transitions.

In Kenya, the results of a presidential poll last December were manipulated. The electoral commission remains in office despite calls for them to step down and allow for thorough investigation into the vote tallying process. Recent calls by civil society groups, for Kivuitu and his team to resign have fallen on deaf ears.

In Uganda, Museveni forced himself into a third term despite the country’s constitution providing for only two terms. His close associates have since continued to campaign for a life presidency for him.

Elsewhere in Cameroon, President Biya is seeking to extend his term. He has been in power for the last 25 years, within which period he suppressed any dissenting voices.

Early this year, the country’s security forces crushed protests against his bid to stay in power. Opposition voices have been hunted down and crushed or intimidated into silence as Biya and his cronies continue to savour the trappings of power.

In Nigeria, former celebrated president Obasanjo now faces charges of abuse of office during his term. A court was recently told that he slept with his eldest son’s wife in exchange for lucrative government contracts. These and many other cases clearly illustrate the depth to which Africa’s political leadership has sunk.

In all, the recent events in Kenya, Cameroon and Zimbabwe also illustrate another baffling side of African politics. That the more we talk about change the more things remain the same or probably get worse. The signing of the power sharing accord between Raila and Kibaki last February was seen by many as heralding a new beginning. However, recent developments point to reluctance, particularly on the part of the Party of National Unity, to share power as clearly spelt out in the national peace accord.

Into the first decade of the 21 Century, contrary to expectation, Africa is reluctant to make bold steps towards strengthening democracy. Instead it is taking calamitous steps back into the Dark Age of misrule, lack of accountability, despondency and totalitarianism. Its leaders have forgotten that they preside over whole countries and communities and not just a few cronies and friends intent on eating off the state.

The fear is that the new century may be lost for Africa, if its leadership will not quickly embrace new values that are in sync with the dictates of the modern world. The 21 Century global reality has no place for visionless leadership. Africans will need to raise their voices against complacent and non-democratic leadership if any change at all is to come.

About The Author: Wilson Ugangu — is a Kenyan journalist. Wilson is a former fellow at the Consumer Union, Washington office and Coordinator of the Media Diversity Centre in Nairobi.

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