Can democracy really work here in Africa

[Zoomic]

No Africa was not designed for democracy, true nature of an African is monarchy. Africa would've done better if it was run by its original nature of monarchy system. Democracy is too library it gives everyone equal rights, everyone can vote and ve voted for. That's the origin of Africa problems, everyone in a democratic system wants to rule, abd when they finally got the position they won't want to leave because of the juicy things in the position. That's why we have more bad leaders in Africa than anywhere in the world, democracy destroyed Africa unity, the monarchy system helps the people not to be eager for position since its hereditary, only one family are allowed to rule. And its was good for Africa, whereas the next in line would be thought about the traditions and customs for years before he will be declared fit to rule.

But in democracy no leadership training, one that doesn't have any ideas about political system will use his wealth to find his way into power. At the end he will perform poorly and accumulate so much wealth for himself.  Africa should go back to its traditional rulership.

This is really interesting, and at some point, I wanted to agree with everything you said. But let's consider this: with the level of exposure now, many Africans will become 'wiser,' and some might resort to coups just to overthrow the sitting government who is expected to rule till death comes knocking.

From my findings, most of these African countries operated a decentralized system of governance, which made it quite difficult for everyone to unite, this will be a major barrier for them, especially when relating with foreign countries.

Considering also the fact that almost all African countries were colonized by foreigners who, in turn, introduced their foreign systems of government, Africans who have been power-hungry for a while now will prefer democracy so they can all have a share of the national cake.

The problem with Africans is corruption, not the system of government being practiced. Even if they embrace monarchy again today, they will still ruin everything with their excessive greed and corruption.

[magistrator]

Africa is just resources and that's it, the people are untrained there.

[letteredhub]

Democracy should be given a chance in order for it to work but in Africa mostly it's millitary rule and numerous coups to get on power and at the same time I think we will see coups even for democratically elected candidates and we have seen this in Egypt (North Africa and middle East nation though).

I am an African, and I have noticed that most of these military coups that have taken place in different countries of Africa is as a result of two phenomenon. That of corruption and political tension.

Many times the military has intervened is due to the height of corruption and looting of the commonwealth by the so-called democratic elected officials who obviously got into power through elections rigging and vote buying.

While that of political tension is caused by the said corrupt practices which has led to opposition attacks from the different political parties and their followers.  The military has always come in to bring back sanity and discipline within the system. And I can tell you about his for free, that democracy has done little or nothing to countries like Nigeria due to the political leaders it has produced over the years. The best time's in the memories of the country people had always been those of military times. I don't think democracy favours Africa as it does with the Western world.

[Hispo]

Democracy should be given a chance in order for it to work but in Africa mostly it's millitary rule and numerous coups to get on power and at the same time I think we will see coups even for democratically elected candidates and we have seen this in Egypt (North Africa and middle East nation though).

I am an African, and I have noticed that most of these military coups that have taken place in different countries of Africa is as a result of two phenomenon. That of corruption and political tension.

Many times the military has intervened is due to the height of corruption and looting of the commonwealth by the so-called democratic elected officials who obviously got into power through elections rigging and vote buying.

While that of political tension is caused by the said corrupt practices which has led to opposition attacks from the different political parties and their followers.  The military has always come in to bring back sanity and discipline within the system. And I can tell you about his for free, that democracy has done little or nothing to countries like Nigeria due to the political leaders it has produced over the years. The best time's in the memories of the country people had always been those of military times. I don't think democracy favours Africa as it does with the Western world.

Perhaps, it would be different if people from Africa knew and appreciated the value of their vote and the voice. Sure, it is a almost impossible thing to do when the system is rigged against you and the military seems to be the only way to kick the corrupt, but in my eyes, the military people can be as corrupt as those in power, who were elected democratically.
At least, you could say, they are countries in Africa in which the executive power is separated from the military power, so they can check on one another, but when the executive and the military become one it is when real problems start to appear and there is nobody to kick the corrupt off their high seats.
Still, I believe a happy and democratic African Republic is possible but it may need a cultural change for the people of Nigeria (for example).

[letteredhub]

Democracy should be given a chance in order for it to work but in Africa mostly it's millitary rule and numerous coups to get on power and at the same time I think we will see coups even for democratically elected candidates and we have seen this in Egypt (North Africa and middle East nation though).

I am an African, and I have noticed that most of these military coups that have taken place in different countries of Africa is as a result of two phenomenon. That of corruption and political tension.

Many times the military has intervened is due to the height of corruption and looting of the commonwealth by the so-called democratic elected officials who obviously got into power through elections rigging and vote buying.

While that of political tension is caused by the said corrupt practices which has led to opposition attacks from the different political parties and their followers.  The military has always come in to bring back sanity and discipline within the system. And I can tell you about his for free, that democracy has done little or nothing to countries like Nigeria due to the political leaders it has produced over the years. The best time's in the memories of the country people had always been those of military times. I don't think democracy favours Africa as it does with the Western world.

Perhaps, it would be different if people from Africa knew and appreciated the value of their vote and the voice. Sure, it is a almost impossible thing to do when the system is rigged against you and the military seems to be the only way to kick the corrupt, but in my eyes, the military people can be as corrupt as those in power, who were elected democratically.
At least, you could say, they are countries in Africa in which the executive power is separated from the military power, so they can check on one another, but when the executive and the military become one it is when real problems start to appear and there is nobody to kick the corrupt off their high seats.
Still, I believe a happy and democratic African Republic is possible but it may need a cultural change for the people of Nigeria (for example).

The system here has deliberately gagged the people to the extent that it makes the oppressed fighting against a fellow oppressed to protect the oppressors. This they do by using poverty as a tool to control the people that they can't even speak up and their voice be heard.

The military may not be a good option from your perspective base on your political culture of your milieu it makes democracy appears to be the best but truth is it's not working well for others based on how it's inconsistent with their own political culture as a people. There are many democratic governments today in Africa where the administration is worse than a military rule, the different arms of government are all controlled by the executive and there exists no checks and balances. Fact check history of the African states unbiased and genuinely, the military has always been the means to restore some level of normalcy back to the political system after a period regime.

[Yucky]

Currently democracy is not working in any African country most of the African leaders are using military force they are oppressing, citizens can't even speak up when you speak up you are being threatened. so there is no democracy in a lot of African countries, it's just a cover for military rule, we rely on God to show mercy because the leaders are not even hearing the cries of people.

Inflation is on the increase everyday insecurity is on the increase, citizens have limited opportunities, other countries deny Africans some opportunities just because their country is  underperforming, the discrimination keep increasing  the hardship, the struggle to even break free keep increasing. If there was democracy the people would have had a say but people don't really have a say so democracay is not working right now.

[Die_empty]

Africa is just resources and that's it, the people are untrained there.

You are not far from the truth; Africa has been a raw material bank for developed nations. Developing nations have refused to assist build industries in Africa to create jobs and train human resources. Rather they prefer to site industries in their home country and sell the finished products in Africa. Bad governance has also contributed to the underdevelopment of Africa. Bribery, corruption and embezzlement are popular in the continent.

But things are changing. African nationals have started developing themselves and are doing well in different fields. Illiteracy might be high in the continent but more people are becoming skillful and educated in different profession.

[BADecker]

Note that, in the distant past, many great things came out of Africa. Note, also, that nobody can lump Africa together as ONE, because Africa is made up of many nations and peoples and tribes that are all different from each other.

Suggesting Africa having Democracy is a completely moot point. Some of the various nations might be Democracies. Others might be Republics or Dictatorships (Note that if a nation is a Democracy, it really is a group Dictatorship in disguise because of the way a Democracy works following elections.)

This whole thread has lots of good points, but it seems to be missing the main ideas that I mention in this post.

[Dunamisx]

The act of democracy is a true display of humanity, if you don't have the care to consider for others first, then you're probably not eligible to go into democracy, most of our leaders are not getting all these rights, because they think democracy is all about their own self and personal ambitions, while things don't really work like that, politics is being practiced everywhere, the world needs the realization of what real politics is all about and this is not about African challenge alone but the world entirely.

[Reynaldo]

The external influence problem, foreign powers continue to exert control through puppet leaders and resource extraction of resources, so in theory yes you can have democracy, but its a long road.

[macson]

Africa is just resources and that's it, the people are untrained there.

But do they want to be a resource for developed countries forever? If they do not think about their fate now, then they will forever be a backward country, fooled by developed countries, and not develop like countries in the Asian region.

They need to act faster to build their country, by training their human resources, utilizing their natural resources, and reducing corruption. If they only think about power and corruption, then African countries will forever be backward countries, no matter how much assistance they get from other countries.

[Nothingtodo]

Democracy is limited only to paper and pen, but in reality, democracy is not being implemented at all in any country. The government that comes to power in a country takes whatever steps are necessary to perpetuate that country's power. The abuse of democracy is not limited to Africa alone, but widespread abuse of democracy is also being observed in Asia. Among the abuses of democracy, the abuse of voting rights and the lack of a transparent government system are the most prominent.

[Kelward]

Democracy in most African countries is a scam because leaders are imposed on the people, and I wonder why they even bother to have elections. Winning elections in these countries depends on the contestants that are loyal to the cabals that controls the economy and if their stooge enters and is no longer loyal, he'll be impeached and removed. Sometimes when a strong leader enters power he becomes a dictator, manipulating elections to continue in power. Ballot box snatching is a common sight in most African countries and manipulation of results is a normal thing.

We have great minds, people with proven intergrity that can move their nations forward but they can never be allowed to win because they will fight corruption. Frankly I don't know which way forward for the continent, most of the leaders are very corrupt and they don't care if the majority of their citizens are in deep poverty.

[AVE5]

The system of democracy governance lost it right in Africa whereas the military doesn't have a say of it own at where necessary rather they're being regulated and taking order by the government just for their (democratic authorities) interests.
So the military can't interfere on issues that're meant to be of their jurisdictions without the audacity of the government.
I understand that if the military would have unregulating power from the democracy, there might be possiblities of coup but it just become unfortunate that the military interference in the Africans societies of democracies is being politicized just for the interest of those (government) in power and the military have no diploma ultrans to intervein on the democratic governance misconducts rather they're only exhibiting it power on the common masses while those in official position who're the architects discomforting the societies are being overlooked.

Okay just in Nigerian democratic president Tinubu called on State of emergency and deploys military to take over Rivers State government just after the States governor was impeached due to political disagreement between the past governor and his successor.
Meanwhile the state has been of conducive for it residents meaning there hasn't been a security threats about it. However, the presidents motive of taking this action was for his political interest for second tenure comes 2027 since the incumbent governor was in the democratic opposition party while the past Rivers State governor is on the side of the president.
So the president using the two persons political issues to set the State on irrelevant emergency using the military to silent the democratic governance.
So with all the selfish interests in the democratic governance in African politics, I'd be difficult to achieve a real form of democracy here.

[Mene_rence]

Democracy is a form of government characterized by by majority role in which the power to choose their leaders is solely put in the hands of the masses . Democracy is characterized by some unique qualities like free and fair election with with duration of been in power and respect for rule of law
But unfortunately this is not the case in some African countries as the opposite is the case as in every election year that comes you hear of election violence, rigging of election to favour those in power, oppression and arrest of opposition figure infact the one that makes in thinking is influx of foreign and European observer to African elections
This lead me to ask questions is democracy made for Africa or can we go back to the way we where governing our self before the advent of colonisation
Guys let discuss why is African democracy so fragile and unstable that military is always taking over democratically elected government

Though we love the idea of Democracy, the practice of 100% democracy is not possible in Africa. It is evident that both the so called democratic leaders and it citizens can't operate under democracy where the citizens themselves have more authority in governance and their voice is heard. The Africans are power drunk and can do anything to manipulate their way into power. They make the law but the rule of law do not apply to them, they seem to be above the law. The citizens are as same with their so called leaders cos those leaders where first citizens.
Africans have a depraved mindset about leadership. They think it's about control and forcing your way in everything. They think for them to have dominion, they have to use force, and they do it by every means available, including trampling on the constitutional rights of the citizen.
If we really want to go back to the practice of democracy, the first thing to do is mind orientation of what leadership and governance really is.
We need to know that governance is about serving the will of the people and not serving your selfish interest. We need to know that the rights of the citizens matters more.

[Bright0515]

In Africa I describe democracy as a possible spoken word.
Democracy is deceit.

In Africa they promise democracy but what we see at the end is autocracy and it's high time we shift our mindsets from democracy and know where we belong to.
These leaders are too autocratic, a democracy that oppresses the masses, a democracy that kills, a democracy that denies a common man his voice we should know who we are and stop being deceived by this democracy of a thing there is no democracy in Africa my country precisely.

[Zanab247]

Democracy should be given a chance in order for it to work but in Africa mostly it's millitary rule and numerous coups to get on power and at the same time I think we will see coups even for democratically elected candidates and we have seen this in Egypt (North Africa and middle East nation though).

That is why it will be hard for democracy to work perfectly well in Africa, because military regime will not allow freedom to happen in a particular countries in Africa which is what some countries in Africa is facing today. How can ordinary civilians fight for democracy in the hands of military regime and win in the hands of people that have the power to crush down a nation within an hour, and nobody can withstand military regime.

But according to the constitution of my country, president don't have the power to suspend elected governor in a state without the approval of the house of assembly because assembly members have the power to question the governor for any misconduct in the state.

[Hispo]

Democracy is limited only to paper and pen, but in reality, democracy is not being implemented at all in any country. The government that comes to power in a country takes whatever steps are necessary to perpetuate that country's power. The abuse of democracy is not limited to Africa alone, but widespread abuse of democracy is also being observed in Asia. Among the abuses of democracy, the abuse of voting rights and the lack of a transparent government system are the most prominent.

Even though you are right to say there is abuse of power and abuse of democracy in many countries around the planet, it would be unfair to generalize all democratics countries under the same affirmation. There are countries in which democracy is pretty much well-functioning and their elections are considered to be fair and transparent. Uruguay is a good example of it, I think. Besides, the alternative to democracy is tyrany and autocracy, which is obvious if you take a look at countries like north Korea, Cuba and even China, where people do not have any chance to exercise their power to guide their own destiny.

I believe Africa can harbor democratic values in an effective way, but it would require a deep change within their culture and way of thinking.

[knowngunman]

Democracy in most African countries is a scam because leaders are imposed on the people, and I wonder why they even bother to have elections. Winning elections in these countries depends on the contestants that are loyal to the cabals that controls the economy and if their stooge enters and is no longer loyal, he'll be impeached and removed. Sometimes when a strong leader enters power he becomes a dictator, manipulating elections to continue in power. Ballot box snatching is a common sight in most African countries and manipulation of results is a normal thing.

We have great minds, people with proven intergrity that can move their nations forward but they can never be allowed to win because they will fight corruption. Frankly I don't know which way forward for the continent, most of the leaders are very corrupt and they don't care if the majority of their citizens are in deep poverty.

Frankly speaking, Africa has unfortunately become the centre of discussion when bad government is at play but the truth is that democracy has not been perfect in almost all of the countries that practice it. It's just that it is more fairer in some countries than it is in other countries. Even America that preach democracy, her citizens complain of election manipulation and irregularities especially during Trump first tenure.

Without doubt, corruption has been on rampant in African countries than one could think of due to absence/lack of punishment. Sadly, the people waiting for the opportunity to steal from public funds are much more than people stealing already. This shows how hard it is for Africans to overcome the issue of corruption which has set the continent on the backwards for years now.

[Roseline492]

Okay just in Nigerian democratic president Tinubu called on State of emergency and deploys military to take over Rivers State government just after the States governor was impeached due to political disagreement between the past governor and his successor.
Meanwhile the state has been of conducive for it residents meaning there hasn't been a security threats about it. However, the presidents motive of taking this action was for his political interest for second tenure comes 2027 since the incumbent governor was in the democratic opposition party while the past Rivers State governor is on the side of the president.
So the president using the two persons political issues to set the State on irrelevant emergency using the military to silent the democratic governance.
So with all the selfish interests in the democratic governance in African politics, I'd be difficult to achieve a real form of democracy here.

I see the whole thing as just an exercise of power and absolute denial of democracy because I believe as a country before certain actions there would always be a deliberation exclusive of the president of the country because that's not his duty, so after those things are being judged by the evidence before action can be taking but those thing was neglected as if there was no democracy on the country, however even if President must do that it doesn't warrant a state of emergency because there was no fight in the state that requires the military to takeover, so usually an ordinary person who should have acted as the government till is being resolved should have been there, so actually for people that are looking for country with unjust democracy they should learn it from this case.