Swaziland recently held elections without political parties
Multiparty
democracy swept across Africa in the early 1990s, as single-party
states and authoritarian leaders bowed to pressure from outside and
within. Activists hoped greater political freedoms and strong
institutions would lead to more government accountability - and more
effective development. But two decades later, is this the reality?
Pallo Jordan is a member of South Africa's governing African
National Congress (ANC) and was part of the first cabinet in 1994. For
him, there is no denying that they are better off with democracy."We have made tremendous progress in this country, with respect to everything. Just the most basic things like the right of the governed to choose their own government."
It is what people fought for, in South Africa and across the continent. But not everyone is happy with the outcome.
Even within South Africa, many feel marginalised in the new democracy.
What is democracy?
"Democracy is the rule of the people. A truly democratic country puts the needs of the people above the egos of politicians - although in practice, this is rarely the case.
Regular elections are not synonymous with democracy. Too often, elections are not themselves democratic because they lack essentials like competitiveness, inclusiveness and definitiveness.
And democracy goes beyond free and fair ballots. Democracy is also rule of law; accountability; freedoms of association, assembly, opinion and expression; equality; and responsiveness.
Democracy is the existence of free media and mass movements able to expose sores and decays within society and governance.
What we see now is a crisis in democracy: Self-interested and unresponsive governments have betrayed the aspirations of initiators of African democracy.
"Democracy is the rule of the people. A truly democratic country puts the needs of the people above the egos of politicians - although in practice, this is rarely the case.
Regular elections are not synonymous with democracy. Too often, elections are not themselves democratic because they lack essentials like competitiveness, inclusiveness and definitiveness.
And democracy goes beyond free and fair ballots. Democracy is also rule of law; accountability; freedoms of association, assembly, opinion and expression; equality; and responsiveness.
Democracy is the existence of free media and mass movements able to expose sores and decays within society and governance.
What we see now is a crisis in democracy: Self-interested and unresponsive governments have betrayed the aspirations of initiators of African democracy.
Economically, South Africa is
still one of the most unequal societies in the world. The same party has
been in power since the beginning of multi-party democracy, and that
does not look like changing any time soon.
There is also a difference between democracy in theory and democracy in practice.Is Uganda a democracy? Uganda is officially a multi-party democracy. Its President, Yoweri Museveni, has been in power since 1986, and oversaw the transition from a single-party to multi-party state.
Yet many complain that democracy there is a mirage.
Arthur Arok, Uganda director of the international development charity ActionAid and an outspoken activist, says: "Opposition and civil society are seen as anti-progress and enemies of development. There is little space for real debate - and that goes against the spirit of democracy."
Mr Arok was arrested and detained back in January as part of the Black Monday movement against corruption, and questions the reality of democracy in his country.
BBC Africa Debate
Tune in to the BBC World Service at 1900 GMT on Friday 27 September to listen to the BBC Africa Debate - Can democracy deliver for Africa? - recorded in Lusaka, Zambia.And on 24 October, the debate moves to Bostwana, where the question is: Are inheritance laws making second-class citizens of women?
You can also take part on Twitter - using #bbcafricadebate - Facebook or Google+
"Is Uganda democratic? No, it's
quasi-democratic, still under construction. There has been some
improvement but the ruling elite are not really interested in democracy,
they only want to entrench their own interests."
President Museveni has won four elections, changing the
constitution to allow himself an unlimited number of terms. The most
recent polls were deemed by European Union observers to be highly
compromised.Chris Zumani Zimba, author of Democracy Under Attack, describes Mr Museveni as one of a new group of "perpetual democratic leaders".
"Democracy is often undermined by leaders themselves, who are elected to office but then try to consolidate their power and make themselves more permanent," he says.
Cameroon's President Paul Biya has also removed term limits - and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo unsuccessfully tried to do the same.
Wallace Chuma, a former Zimbabwean newspaper editor and now an academic at the University of Cape Town, says there is a familiar pattern of former liberation movements in government.
"They failed to tolerate internal processes of democracy. I think they have become hostage to their own successes as liberation movements. The tendency is to be closed to the outside and closed also to fresh ideas.
A view from Zambia
Following the return to multi-party democracy in 2001, Zambia has held successful elections with peaceful leadership transition, earning the country the reputation of a "blossoming democracy" in Africa.
Unfortunately, successful elections are as far as democracy goes in Zambia. Successive governments have remained largely unresponsive to the demands of citizens. In 2011 the Patriotic Front won the presidential elections and ascended to power, promising changes within 90 days. The slogan of "more money in your pockets" was obviously very appealing to many Zambians desperate for a better life.
Unfortunately Zambia's democracy is now under threat as constitutional breaches abound, freedom of expression and of assembly are being harshly curtailed. I have personally been threatened with arrest for holding a meeting without "permission". I have worked in the development sector in Zambia for close to 15 years and I had never experienced this even under leadership that was thought to be very difficult. Subtle threats for many civil society leaders are now the order of the day. The legislature is in turmoil with endless by-elections.
With poverty levels as high as 70%, Zambians now know elections are not enough and can no longer continue to watch as leaders fail to deliver on promises and on basic social services.
Following the return to multi-party democracy in 2001, Zambia has held successful elections with peaceful leadership transition, earning the country the reputation of a "blossoming democracy" in Africa.
Unfortunately, successful elections are as far as democracy goes in Zambia. Successive governments have remained largely unresponsive to the demands of citizens. In 2011 the Patriotic Front won the presidential elections and ascended to power, promising changes within 90 days. The slogan of "more money in your pockets" was obviously very appealing to many Zambians desperate for a better life.
Unfortunately Zambia's democracy is now under threat as constitutional breaches abound, freedom of expression and of assembly are being harshly curtailed. I have personally been threatened with arrest for holding a meeting without "permission". I have worked in the development sector in Zambia for close to 15 years and I had never experienced this even under leadership that was thought to be very difficult. Subtle threats for many civil society leaders are now the order of the day. The legislature is in turmoil with endless by-elections.
With poverty levels as high as 70%, Zambians now know elections are not enough and can no longer continue to watch as leaders fail to deliver on promises and on basic social services.
"If you look at the rhetoric from
Angola to Mozambique to South Africa to Zimbabwe, you get the sense
that any criticism against liberation movements in government is
considered as being a traitor."
There is some debate as to what constitutes democracy,
anyway. Even when elections are deemed to be free and fair - what
happens in the period between ballots?Corruption and impunity at the highest level are a sign that the balance of power still sits firmly with those in office - and not those who vote them in.
According to the African Union, more than $148bn (£93bn) is lost to corruption in Africa every year - much of it through public officials employed by democratically elected governments.
Poverty and underdevelopment can also be seen as a challenge to democracy, with a hungry and poorly educated electorate easily bought by politicians welding gifts and promises.
Indeed, some argue that democracy is not the most stable base for economic development anyway.
Alex Ngoma, a political scientist at the University of Zambia, points to the Asian Tigers' example, "where democracy is less of a priority and they waste less time talking - but get economic results. It's proof that there is more than one way to get things done."
China is consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing - and most powerful - economies on earth. Within Africa, Ethiopia and Rwanda are among the most successful - their growth built on a model of strong central government and limited political freedoms.
How to 'Africanise' democracy
“Start Quote
Paul Kagame President of RwandaThose who disagree with or criticise our development and governance options do not provide any suitable or better alternatives”
Speaking this year on the death
of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Rwanda's President Paul
Kagame was clear about both countries' lukewarm relationship with a
Western version of democracy.
"Invariably, the question has been raised about whether the
emphasis on development and the role of the state in it is not done at
the expence of democracy and people's rights."Those who disagree with or criticise our development and governance options do not provide any suitable or better alternatives. All they do is repeat abstract concepts like freedom and democracy as if doing that alone would improve the human condition. Yet for us, the evidence of results from our choices is the most significant thing."
President Kagame is not alone in questioning multi-party democracy in the African context. Indeed, US historian William Blum in a recent book describes democracy as a Western imposition on Africa - "America's deadliest export" and foreign policy tool.
Consequently, there has been some discussion as to how to "Africanise" democracy. Mr Zimba suggests incorporating traditional power structures into formal government.
"At the moment chiefs are seen as political footnotes, even though they are often more effective and revered than politicians. Politicians recognise the influence of traditional leaders on how communities vote during elections and try to manipulate this. A better system would be some kind of bicameral government, even giving traditional leaders legislative powers."
As with any healthy democracy, there is a range of opinions and robust debate, but the consensus seems to be that whilst democracy is not delivering as well as it could be for Africa, it remains the most viable form of government for the continent.
Mr Ngoma sums it up: "Democracy on paper is very beautiful, but the practice depends on what practitioners actually do - and often they're not doing very well."
SOURCE: BBC
