Democracy in Africa, Myths and Realities
Political parties abounded, bearing in their denomination the word fetish "Democracy." Twenty (20) years later, democratic society according to the definition of democracy: Power of the people; Power of the people, by the people and the people; Power of the majority, application of the will of the majority, is it built? Has an embryo of education for a democratic society been operating in countries for two (2) decades? Has democracy been explained to the people, who is the architect of its construction? One can answer without error, loud and clear, to all these questions by a single answer: No! No, because during the last twenty (20) years throughout Africa, the aspirations of peoples have not been really and sufficiently taken into account. In twenty (20) years, the African intelligentsia has metamorphosed greatly, through the appearance of a new class, the neo-bourgeoisie, whose aspirations and preoccupations are opposed to those of the people. Never in Africa, for twenty (20) years, no government in its project of society has laid down clearly the type of society that it wanted to build, starting with man. Free enterprise with ill-defined obscure contours and its corollaries, of which the affairism which kills the State, has constituted more or less veiled the basis of the projects of society. Africa is mired. Africa is broken down, because it has as its focus, through its thinking heads, societies whose social contradictions are insoluble. Where is Africa going? For two centuries, the world has continued to undergo social upheavals and profound changes, all resulting from the deep aspirations of peoples for greater freedom, justice and social well-being. As a reminder, let us mention a few: 1789 the French Revolution, the birth of Communism 1848, the Commune of Paris in 1871, the Revolution of 1912 and especially that of October 1917 in Russia, the birth of the RDA in 1946 And the right to self-determination of the peoples voted by the League of Nations, the Bandung Conference in 1955, the 1958 referendum in Africa, the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the African Independence in 1960, the two decades 1960-70, 1970-80) coups in Africa supported and encouraged by the West, the Conference of La Baule in 1989. What a way covered by the peoples, with what pitfalls! Can it be asserted in the light of political experience since 1936 that the African continent did not experience democracy until 1990? No, no and no ! It would be foolish to believe it and insult to say it! As evidence, let us rather listen to two African presidents, all of whom left the political scene long before 1990.
1. "A case concerning the Guinean State concerns all Guinean citizens. The program of the party is discussed democratically. As long as a decision has not been made, everyone is free to say what he thinks or wants. But when, after a thorough discussion in congress or assembly, a unanimous vote or a majority vote has been obtained, the members of the majority as well as the leaders of the party are obliged to apply it correctly. »Sékou TOURE (Guinea)
2. "Although we have only one party, free democratic practice is respected in our meetings. All opinions are expressed and the one with the highest number of votes is considered the right one, and therefore the one whose policy is applied. »Modibo KEITA (Mali)
Clear words about democracy, an exercise that best explains the democratic practice within a structure, a group and even a single party and more in line with the definition of democracy as stated above.
Today, democratic practice in institutions such as the National Assembly of Mali, very budgetary, its functioning, the level of expenses, the advantages and rights granted to its members and the abuses of elected municipalities by land speculation , To cite only these examples, do they in fact make of Mali, a democratic state? No ! Because, the people will never share the practices that are there.
Most African governments have been claiming democracy since 1989-90. But among the multitude of democracies: bourgeois or western democracy, popular democracy, democratic debates, democratic centralism, or the dictatorship of the proletariat ... which would they want to build? Undoubtedly, Western democracy, the reference, alas, of the masters of yesterday, their masters to think. Africa is not Europe and will not be. The political foundations of Africa must today be the result of all the positive experiences lived elsewhere and not the correct copy of systems or policies unadaptable to our realities. It is time for Africa to make a clear path for its development. Democracy, a permanent quest, yes! For 20 years of democratic hubbub in Africa, in practice, democracy has remained a word with hollow content, by the facts and behavior of many responsible. Power conquered in the name of the people or the masses, but exercised without them!
In the light of the evolution of the world from 1789 to 2010, the African Union must ask UNESCO to update the concepts of social revolution, democracy and development.
So, African historians, philosophers, sociologists, politicians, researchers and thinkers for a truly African new Africa. Long live the revolution !
So, African historians, philosophers, sociologists, politicians, researchers and thinkers for a truly African new Africa. Long live the revolution !
Sékou KEITA
published on 15/10/2011
published on 15/10/2011
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