By Frank Anyasi
Africa’s future depends on the ability of all countries on the continent to make democracy work. Strengthening African democracy will improve the continent’s development prospects.
The alternative of authoritarian rule which seems to be on the ascendancy in parts of the continent will not achieve her long-term development goals.
The continents ‘big men’ simply do not get things done as well or in as sustained a fashion as democrats.
Fortunately, available records suggest that the people of the continent want democracy, contrary to the misguided international opinion.
While democracy is much more than just elections, the contest for votes needs to be safeguarded as a critical democratic moment, a prerequisite, without which the legitimacy of the process and its outcome will suffer.
If elections are simply a means for endorsing the status quo, they will be less a source of change than one of conflict. With a youthful, expectant population, it is necessary to instil faith in the electoral process; otherwise, there will be a temptation to seek relief through extra-judicial means.
Such disappointment will likely set the stage for violence and result in a reduced capacity for government to drive future prosperity.
Fair and free elections require money and a level playing field for the people and entities involved in the process, in particular, funding transparency of political parties is imperative for the promotion of democracy.
Those who donate to political parties risk being accused of seeking favours, or upsetting their relationship with incumbents.
Beyond elections, donors must have a clear view that polls are a necessary but not sufficient condition for democracy.
They must base their long-term judgments regarding the democratic performance of individual countries on the actual workings of democratic institutions.
There is no substitute for strong institutions. Large amounts of money spent by donor countries in the hope that authoritarians will respect the rule of law are often a waste when the underlying institutions and leadership are missing.
Elections and democracy will not work unless there is a cultural shift that ensures that opposing parties are protected. Governance in the 21st century yearns for diverse political parties thriving towards common principles of freedom, justice and solidarity, for different causes and groupings for society.
African leaders must know that there can never be benefits of democracy unless the existence of opposition is recognised and welcome.
Those in power must understand that they and their followers will one day be the opposition themselves.
Therefore, tolerance of dissent and accommodation of the opposition as well as continued debates on policies and practices are vital for liberal democracy to flourish.
The role of the opposition is crucial to democracy and speaks directly to Africa’s future. Opposition plays varying roles in parliament on behalf of their constituents, within policy development and accounting for policy implementation.
Opposition parties, because of minority representation in parliament have little chance of winning the majority vote.
Opposition, as a minority in parliament therefore finds itself continuously stifled even with great ideas by an unwilling majority.
This tyranny of numbers in decision making has plunged the continent into the hands of detestable authoritarian rulers, violent protests, civil wars and in some occasions secessions have been bred from this misfortune.
The continent can thrive if democratic principles are taught and opposition roles are not stifled by government.
The ability of the state is enhanced through an enabling environment that allows broad democratic participation and representation of opposition parties. The opposition can nudge government towards more people centred policies.
Regrettably, in many African countries, opposition leaders are harassed and sometimes jailed to prevent them from contesting political power.
Elections in Uganda have been marred by irregularities. Yoweri Museveni’s influence on poll officials has helped him consolidate power for over 25 years.
President Paul Kagame has been accused by the civil society in Rwanda of stifling media and political freedom. Despite numerous opposition parties, they offer no significant challenge.
Beyond elections, democracies foster development because they allow for greater scrutiny of government; promote good governance and allow the electorate to choose between competing ideas.
Democracies have a self-regulating mechanism when poor policies are adopted. However, such abilities do not occur automatically, there must be a structure of institutions that would make them work.
States must be intentional in building the necessary institutions and practices, including independent courts of law that are respected and officials who are protected from political pressure as well as special prosecutors who can bring pressure against incumbents.
During the inaugural USA-African summit in 2014, President Barack Obama reiterated the need in any country not for strong men but rather strong institutions.
Although there is desperate need for responsive leadership, Africa needs independent and formidable institutions.
Without strong institutions, African countries will languish at the hands of self-imposed leaders with no respect for the rule of law or the people.
Democracy is essentially about elites being confident enough in the political system to risk losing power via elections.
The benefits for changing political systems so that the playing field is level, building institutions and breaking stalemates are high.
Once real institutions are established, democracy takes root and authoritarian reverses are less likely.
Democracy with form but without the substance can only lead to failure and eventually, a disenchantment of the populace with democracy.
Beyond running good campaigns, oppositions if they want to win must actually have a vision that differentiates them.
During elections in Africa, there is usually little debate that centres around different economic visions. Therefore, a crucial challenge is for the opposition to build credible, well-organised parties with alternative ideas.
If elections are to be consequential, the opposition must provide citizens with a good reason to vote for them, a choice that may be costly given the tendency of incumbents to erect barriers to voting for those out of power.
Unless the opposition clearly differentiates itself by policy, even turnover prompted by incumbents losing will not change the nature of politics in a non-performing country.
In Nigeria there is no remarkable difference in policy among the political parties. In fact, parties are seen as mere platforms for winning elections.
That is why politicians easily switch from one party to the other just a few days to the primaries of the receiving party.
The voting public is taken for granted and left with no choice of alternative party policy. There is a need too for democrats within and outside government to establish a narrative that transcends the boundaries of identity.
Such a vision is especially important in an era where young people face challenges of global competition for resources and employment, where they have other (digital) windows on the world outside of politics and where the tendency will thus be to “opt out”.
Democracy is difficult in Africa because holding free and fair elections is challenging, given that the incumbent is required to supervise a process that may lead to him or her losing power.
It is therefore, necessary to create a set of institutions that will serve as a bulwark against authoritarianism.
Unfortunately it is easier for the camel’s head to pass through the eye of the needle than it is to defeat an incumbent in election in Africa because they deploy the support of relevant institutions to their advantage.
Africa needs democracy because no other political system will equip the countries on the continent with the ability to handle the coming wave of young population.
African countries should not fear the coming demographic changes because being the youngest region of the world offers great opportunities.
However, those possibilities will only be achieved if economic systems are in place to generate the needed jobs. Democracy offers the possibility of not only coping with the wave of young people arriving in African cities, but also of benefitting from it.
Anyasi retired as director in the Ministry of Defence.