Young Africans are standing up to the continent's ageing autocrats. Outsiders should help
of Africans favour multiparty democracy. Whereas in rich countries the fashion is to lament democracy’s shortcomings, Africans want more of it. Their passion is born of experience. Many have endured one-party or military rule, and know that unaccountable rulers abuse. Hence the bravery of the hundreds of thousands of Sudanese who protested against the dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir last year. After three decades of tyranny, plunder and economic mismanagement, they had had enough.
However, Africa’s democratic backsliding should be seen in context. It is smaller in scale than the advances of the 1990s and early 2000s—a case of three steps forward and one step back. And the forces that favour democracy remain strong. Another force is Africans’ desire to build institutions to hold the mighty to account. These include a probing press and vigorouss: think of the tireless reporters who exposed Angola’s kleptocracy, or Catholics who proved Congo’s election was stolen. They include assertive courts: think of the judges who overturned rigged elections in Kenya in 2017 and Malawi in February. They include legislatures, which are not as toothless as is often supposed.
Africa’s battle for democracy will be won or lost by Africans themselves. Still, the rest of the world can and should choose a side. The West has been hopelessly inconsistent, one minute lambasting Zimbabwe for ballot-rigging, the next minute endorsing the same crime in Congo. Better to offer steadier and more united support for democracy. Outsiders should not only reject sham elections but also be more outspoken in the period between votes. Diplomacy is often about timing.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How the drug industry got its way on the coronavirusThe drug industry is showing that even in a crisis, it can use its influence in Washington to fight off efforts to cut into its profits
Read more »
Exclusive: Iowa congresswoman reveals painful endometriosis battle, new fight to increase fundingRep. Abby Finkenauer, an Iowa Democrat, opens up in an exclusive interview about her battle with endometriosis and her new fight to raise awareness.
Read more »
Biden wages likability war on SandersFraming Bernie Sanders as a divisive party outsider who won’t accept defeat, the Biden campaign pointed to his bitter primary fight four years ago with Hillary Clinton
Read more »
How To Empower Yourself In The Job Search And Fight Back Against The AI RobotsThis approach is a useful and important tool to get yourself in front of the right people. This strategy will help increase your chances of getting noticed, chosen for an interview and, ultimately, getting the job you want.
Read more »
How Joe Biden roared back on Super Tuesday and what it means for the next contests with Bernie SandersJoe Biden came roaring back on Super Tuesday, and did so in ways that show strength in states coming up in Democrats' presidential nominating contest.
Read more »