by ANB-BIA, Brussels, March 1998
As the 1990s moved on, it was becoming clear that Africa's road to democracy was not to be the same in every country. Progress was smooth for some, rough for others. Certain countries were just emerging from a civil war situation, and others never applied the principles of democracy and everything going with it since independence. They continued to operate a one-party state or centralised personal dictatorship. Nevertheless, the movement towards multi-party democracy which had been sweeping through Africa, ousted some governments and forced others to change.
Seeing everything going on around them, people were beginning to ask themselves, "What are the prerequisites for real democracy?" For those in power - an awareness of their peoples' aspirations and a willingness to bring about change. For the average citizen - a yearning to share in both public and private affairs of state. True multipartyism allowed all shades of public opinion to have freedom of expression.
The passage of time had clarified some of the hopes and fears expressed by political commentators at the beginning of the process of multi-party change. It became clear, for example, that in many countries the creation of new parties had not directly involved numerous citizens from outside the existing political elite, and especially not in the rural areas. There might have been multiple political parties, but some long-serving presidents seemed able to continue in power, with their political parties hovering in the background.
Even in countries where the wind of change ousted incumbent presidents plus their governments, the new power holders came, by and large, from the same political class, and even from the same families as those who had been close to the centre of power in the previous three decades. Some of the most successful new-breed politicians were simply old-breed politicians, who had chosen the right moment to break with the past, and engage in the new watch-words of: "good governance" and "respect for human rights".
Under the old one-party system, few serious politicians could attempt to create new parties - and survive. Whatever criticisms were levelled at what was taking place in Africa, one major change could not be denied - freedom of expression. In stark contradiction to the stifling of dissent and opinion which was previously the order of the day.
As Africa moved towards the end of the century, there was an awareness on the part of politicians, that the mere presence of parliaments and ritualistic holding of elections, would neither ensure democracy nor economic development. Africa's transition to democracy brought with it, the problem of meeting popular expectations for change, particularly as regards the economy. The many strands of what was commonly referred to as "sustainable development", had all to be dealt with - environmental issues, population, participation of women in the life of the nation, empowerment of marginal groups, and provision for social welfare. This daunting task could only be realized with the full participation and support of the entire population.
But just how were African countries living the experience of democracy, as the decade progressed? Let's look at some examples of that period.
Benin: Democracy had become a reality, characterized by freedom of opinion and freedom of association. A number of political parties opposed to President Soglo sprung up. Obviously there were teething problems, but what was certain was that, with the establishment of the main government structures such as the National Assembly, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, Benin's democratic process was well and truly launched. But perhaps the most difficult part was still to come. The new order meant not just a new way of doing things, but a new way of thinking. It would not be easy to adjust to this.
Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso's new Constitution accorded the President and his government, all the necessary powers to see the country through a period of transition. Slowly but surely, Burkina Faso was able to set in place structures for the 4th Republic. The Opposition had called for a Sovereign National Conference, but this was turned down by the government. People were wondering what was going on, because the setting up of government structures had not completely succeeded in clearing the air.
Chad:The dismantling of a dictatorship and the setting up of democracy were made at the point of a gun. Chad gave the impression of being well launched along the road to democracy. There were at least 27 registered political parties, however only one voice made itself heard - that of Idriss Déby and his Mouvement Patriotique du Salut. Under pressure from both inside and outside (especially from France), Deby found himself in a position of having to follow his promised programme for democratisation, including the legalisation of political parties. He had also to agree to hold a Sovereign National Conference.
Kenya: President Moi would have nothing to do with National Conferences, because in Francophone Africa, they were usually immediately followed by a transition government. Suspicion was going around that opposition parties would not combine and push for a National Conference, because deep down they were after power themselves. In truth, the democratisation process was still way off mark.
Tanzania: Recent years saw rapid changes in Tanzania. Everybody spoke out in defence of democracy and human rights. Many made use of the numerous independent newspapers which had mushroomed in the last three years. These were new expressions of the democratic process, a process which was now part and parcel of political life in Tanzania. The Constitution Amendment Bill which paved the way to political pluralism, was approved in May 1992, and Tanzania officially became a multi-party state on 1 July. The first multi-party elections were to be held in 1995.
Togo: After Togo's Sovereign National Congress had completed its work, the transition government took over and got off to a good start. Then it came up against a formidable obstacle - General Gnassingbe Eyadéma, President of Togo. The President and his supporters easily got back most of their power and privileges, including that of organising elections. One thing became clear, only the people's determination would bring about the final victory against a dictatorship which was taking a long time to fall.
Uganda: To appreciate Uganda's situation, one had to recall the twenty years of political unrest, dictatorship and the gross violation of human rights which destroyed or at the very least, fatally weakened the democratic institutions still in their infancy. Now, Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Movement introduced some fundamental changes in the domain of democracy. It was these changes which formed the basis for believing that democracy in Uganda was likely to become a reality.
Zaire: In 1991, the government called a national Conference, albeit with limited sovereignty. They tried to hurry proceedings to such an extent that they came up against "people power" wanting a well-prepared and fully sovereign Conference. This eventually came into being with Archbishop Monsengwo as its president, but it immediately ran into trouble with the government who felt the situation was getting out of hand. It was clear that President Mobutu's appeal for national reconciliation and democracy was pure bluff, pure myth. He had no intention of opening the way to democracy. He rejected everything to do with change, and continued to hang onto power by whatever means possible.
Zambia: The case of Zambia, after the victory of Chiluba's Movement for Multiparty Democracy over Kaunda's United Independence party, when the major opposition party managed a startlingly one-sided victory over the ruling party, demonstrated clearly that of itself, multipartyism did not equal democracy. The structures of pluralism had to be supported by attitudes of tolerance, dialogue, respect of human rights, promotion of the common good. Because the UNIP opposition was weak, there was danger in Zambia, of a "hang-over"of previous one-party attitudes such as arrogance and lack of accountability.
Zimbabwe: A curious situation existed in Zimbabwe. The country had had regular parliamentary elections since independence, but many people were wondering if Zimbabwe was becoming less democratic. The election in 1990 was generally free of allegations of ballot-rigging, but it must be said that access to the Media by the Opposition, was severely restricted.
END of PART 2/6
1. The winds of change ||
3. Africa and the World Community
4. Manifestations of Democracy: An independent Press and a
free Judiciary
5. The realities of Globalisation || 6. Towards the news Millennium Whither Africa?
2.Democracy in Africa - Reality or Myth?
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1998 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement