It may sound like a bad joke, but the sad truth is that Africa’s short-lived experiment with democracy faces hard times.这可能听起来像一个不好的笑话，但可悲的事实是，非洲的短命的实验与民主所面临的困难的时刻。

From Nigeria to Zimbabwe, Kenya to the Ivory Coast and Uganda to Cameroon, the writing is on the wall.来自尼日利亚，津巴布韦，肯尼亚，象牙海岸和乌干达喀麦隆，写作是在墙上。 The experiment with democracy has sadly taken a dangerous nosedive.实验与民主可悲的，采取了危险的暴跌。

Recent political events point to a crisis of honest, committed and democratic leadership.最近的政治事件，指向一个危机，诚实，承诺和民主的领导。 This ironically, is in spite of the advancements in education and intellectualism.这讽刺的是，是，尽管该国的进步，在教育和intellectualism 。 It is also in spite of the influences of globalisation and the new understandings that have evolved about state power and how it should be managed for the benefit of society.这也是尽管该国的影响，全球经济一体化和新的谅解已演变对国家的权力和它应如何加以管理，为造福社会。

The continent’s so-called democratic leaders are openly subverting the people’s will and disregarding national constitutions as they continue in the bad ways of wild corruption and unaccountable leadership.大陆的所谓民主领导人公开颠覆人民的意志，无视国家宪法，因为他们继续在坏的方法，野生腐败和不负责任的领导。 The celebrations that heralded democratic change in the 1990s have gradually faded into muffled cries of despair.庆祝活动表示，预示着民主变革在20世纪90年代已逐渐淡出到muffled的呼声，绝望。 Increasingly, ordinary people find themselves removed from the centres of power, marginalised and reduced to helpless onlookers as political leaders; their friends and families enjoy power.越来越多，一般人发现自己从权力中心，被边缘化及减少到无奈，围观者作为政治领导人;他们的朋友和家人享有的权力。

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.简直是荒谬地看到，津巴布韦无奈地举行了赎金，由穆加贝总统的坚决拒绝接受选举的裁决交给他是由人民透过一个公开和公平的选举进程。 The 84-year-old is not about to give up the reins of power even as his country sinks deeper into economic ruin. 84岁的老人是不是要放弃权力的缰绳，甚至作为他的国家汇到更深的经济崩溃。

The recent elections in Zimbabwe revealed that African politicians demonstrate little or no sense of dignity and respect for political transition.最近的选举在津巴布韦显示，非洲的政治家表现出很少或根本没有意识，尊严和尊重的政治过渡。 And since they bring little or no dignity to public office, they are mortally fearful of transitions.由于他们带来很少或根本没有尊严的公职，他们是致命可怕的过渡。

In Kenya, the results of a presidential poll last December were manipulated.在肯尼亚，结果一个总统选举于去年12月被操纵。 The electoral commission remains in office despite calls for them to step down and allow for thorough investigation into the vote tallying process.选举委员会仍然在办公室，尽管要求他们下台，并允许彻底的调查，投票计票过程。 Recent calls by civil society groups, for Kivuitu and his team to resign have fallen on deaf ears.最近的呼吁民间社会团体，为kivuitu和他的团队辞职都充耳不闻。

In Uganda, Museveni forced himself into a third term despite the country’s constitution providing for only two terms.在乌干达，穆塞韦尼强迫自己成为第三个任期，尽管该国的宪法规定，只有两个条款。 His close associates have since continued to campaign for a life presidency for him.他的亲密同伙以来，持续运动的生活，担任主席的他。

Elsewhere in Cameroon, President Biya is seeking to extend his term.其他地方在喀麦隆，比亚总统正在谋求延长任期。 He has been in power for the last 25 years, within which period he suppressed any dissenting voices.他已在电力，为过去25年来，其中期间，他镇压任何反对的声音。

Early this year, the country’s security forces crushed protests against his bid to stay in power.今年年初，该国的安全部队镇压抗议，他为了留在权力。 Opposition voices have been hunted down and crushed or intimidated into silence as Biya and his cronies continue to savour the trappings of power.反对声音已被抓获，并粉碎或恐吓的沉默作为罗比亚和他的亲信继续品味的服饰权力。

In Nigeria, former celebrated president Obasanjo now faces charges of abuse of office during his term.在尼日利亚，前庆祝奥巴桑乔总统现在面临的指控滥用办公室在其任期内。 A court was recently told that he slept with his eldest son’s wife in exchange for lucrative government contracts.法院最近告诉他睡同他的长子的妻子在以换取利润丰厚的政府合约。 These and many other cases clearly illustrate the depth to which Africa’s political leadership has sunk.这些和许多其他案件清楚地表明了深入而非洲的政治领导，已沉没。

In all, the recent events in Kenya, Cameroon and Zimbabwe also illustrate another baffling side of African politics.在所有，最近发生的事件在肯尼亚，喀麦隆和津巴布韦也说明了另一个令人费解的一面非洲政治。 That the more we talk about change the more things remain the same or probably get worse.这更我们谈论改变更多的事情维持不变，或有可能进一步恶化。 The signing of the power sharing accord between Raila and Kibaki last February was seen by many as heralding a new beginning.签署了分享权力的协议之间的raila和齐贝吉去年二月被许多人视为预示着一个新的开始。 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.然而，最近的事态发展指向不情愿，尤其是对我们党的民族团结，分享权力作为清楚列明在全国和平协议。

Into the first decade of the 21 Century, contrary to expectation, Africa is reluctant to make bold steps towards strengthening democracy.到第一个十年的21世纪，相反的期望，非洲是不愿意作出大胆的步骤，加强民主。 Instead it is taking calamitous steps back into the Dark Age of misrule, lack of accountability, despondency and totalitarianism.相反，它是灾难性的步骤，以重新进入黑暗时代的暴政，缺乏问责制，沮丧和极权主义。 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.其领导人已忘记他们主持整个国家和社区，而不只是少数亲信和朋友的意图对饮食小康的国家。

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.恐惧的是，新世纪可能会失去对非洲，如果其领导将不会很快树立新的价值观是在同步与支配现代世界。 The 21 Century global reality has no place for visionless leadership. 21世纪的全球现实没有地方visionless领导。 Africans will need to raise their voices against complacent and non-democratic leadership if any change at all is to come.非洲人将需要，以提高他们的声音，反对自满和非民主的领导，如果有任何改变，是在所有来。

About The Author: Wilson Ugangu — is a Kenyan journalist. 关于作者： 卫奕信ugangu -是一个肯尼亚问。 Wilson is a former fellow at the威尔逊是前同在 Consumer Union, Washington office消费者联盟，驻华盛顿办事处 and Coordinator of the和协调员的 Media Diversity Centre in Nairobi媒体的多样性中心在内罗毕举行 . 。

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