International Day of Democracy what it means for Africa

International Day of Democracy and What it Means to Africa

So tomorrow is the International Day of Democracy here in Africa .The United Nations recognizes this day as a moment to agitate for human rights, development and peace the world over. Recent events have proved that the rule of law and democracy is rapidly becoming an attractive idea for the masses. The Arab Spring which many have termed as the ‘revolution that never happened’ witnessed the fall of African megalomaniacs and their acolytes. From the tiny capital of Tunis to the city of Bengazi the voice of the people demanded an end to the previous social contract and a beginning to a new one that is more democratic and effective. The rebels in Libya have already announced a Pyrrhic victory and the fall of Gadaffi seem to come as a shock to many. The man who Ronald Reagan termed as the ‘mad dog’ had ruled the country since its independence and was one of the leading voices of pan africanism. Amnesty international has issued a comprehensive report claiming there were massive human rights abuses by both the rebels and the loyalists’ side that could possibly be attributed to war crimes. Earlier in June the ICC issued three arrest warrants on Muammar Gaddaffi in which the African Union has refused to comply and majority of the states have rejected the NATO backed transitional government. Regardless African states seem divided on this issue with some agreeing to comply with court and some claiming that the court has been targeting Africans since its inception in 2002.African quests for democracy and upholding human rights is one major battle that is being fought In Kenya where there is a case being presented to the ICC regarding the post election violence of 2007.Kenya has however attempted to change its unruly past by adopting a new constitution which it boasts to be one of the most progressive constitutions the world over. In other parts of the continent the political contagions remains persistent from Ivory Coast to Uganda. The struggles to contain these countries and ensure peace amid the hiking in food and fuel prices as well as the uncertainties of globalization has proven to be a difficult task for the leaders. The lack of developmental states and active citizenship n Africa is perhaps the biggest impediment to achieving democracy and peace. Duncan Green in his book ‘from poverty to power: How active citizens and effective states can change the world’ describes an ‘effective states’ as that which can ‘guarantee security, rule of law and ensure inclusive economic growth’. He points out the centrality of a state by underscoring NGO’s and aid as a vehicle in bringing about development. The social contract that Africans are now demanding by voicing out their dissent is that which guarantees them rights as individuals through equity and that which recognizes them as subjects not objects.

Despite all the problems good things are coming out of Africa for example an article on Forbes magazine pointed out that if you add up Africa’s foreign reserves they are larger than India’s. In a world where 50% of the population is youth, Africa is estimated to become home to one fifth of the world’s youth by 2050.These statistics can tell you just how central and fundamental Africa will be in this future. Even though we are still politically quiescent, economically we have been placed on the map especially now with South Africa joining the BRICS. Fareed Zakaria, Dambisa Moyo and many other acclaimed scholars have already put forward the idea of ‘rise of the rest ‘as a major shift in global power and influence and in this regard Africa is being viewed as the new frontier together with other emerging economies of the East.

In our quest for democracy problems of development should be addressed in order to improve provision of services to the citizenry. Africa remains one of the continents in the world still struggling with issues of development to this day. An answer to our development problems lies in regional integration, development of infrastructure and initiating value adding industrial development. We no longer do not afford the luxury of policy failures rather we should be increasing safety nets for the highly vulnerable in society. As we commemorate this day we should realize that strengthening our institutions, culture and policies is key in ensuring that our society’s become just and people live in perpetual peace.