Kimbi Wango

Every time someone tells me, “Farida, forget about democracy, it’s a Western concept and it can’t work for Africa” I am offended, not just offended, but aggravated by the level of acculturation and alienation that statement reveals. This claim is a distortion of history. It is the product of centuries of colonial propaganda, reinforced by our own elites, to make us forget who we are and what we once had. Before colonization, countless African societies already had sophisticated democratic systems with checks, balances, and real accountability. Democracy was NOT imported to Africa. If anything, it was destroyed here by colonization. Take the Empire of Mali under rulers like Mansa Musa and Mansa Sakura. It had a structured government with ministers responsible for justice, the army, foreign relations, trade, and agriculture. The Gbara, a great assembly of clans, had the power to advise and even challenge the mansa. A ruler who lost the trust of the assembly and the clans risked removal. Power was never absolute. Among the Ashanti in today’s Ghana, the Asantehene could be removed by the council of elders if he betrayed the people. This was marked by the symbolic withdrawal of the Golden Stool, the ultimate seat of power. Among the Yoruba in Nigeria, a tyrannical Oba would receive a ritual message, often in the form of an empty calabash or parrot eggs, instructing him to step down or take his own life to preserve the honor of the community. Among the Buganda in Uganda, the Kabaka’s reign depended on the confidence of the Lukiiko, the council. Losing that confidence could end his rule, sometimes abruptly and violently. Among the Igbo in Nigeria, abusive leaders could be stripped of their land, titles, and social standing, effectively ending their influence. Elections existed in some precolonial societies. Among the Sena of Mozambique and the Shona of Zimbabwe, chiefs could be chosen through consensus-building assemblies involving elders and representatives of different clans. Among the Somali, leaders known as Ugases were elected by councils of elders representing different lineages and could be removed if they acted against the will of the people. In the Oromo Gadaa system of Ethiopia, leadership rotated every eight years through a highly organized electoral process involving public debates and community votes. These were not primitive customs. They were structured, legitimate systems ensuring that power served the people. In many cases, our models of accountability were stronger than those in Europe at the same time. So when people say “democracy is Western” or “Africa isn’t ready for democracy,” they are parroting colonial lies. They are insulting our ancestors and excusing modern-day tyrants. Our problem today is not that democracy doesn’t fit Africa. Our problem is that we live with two chains around our necks: foreign powers that still control our economies and politics, and local feudal elites who exploit us like the colonizers did, sometimes worse. Some say, “Let’s fight the foreign powers first, then our local dictators later.” Others say, “Let’s remove our dictators first, then we’ll deal with the West.” I believe both approaches are wrong. It’s like a patient with an infection and a high fever. Treat only the fever, and the patient dies. Treat only the bacteria, and the patient can also die. You give anti-inflammatories and antibiotics at the same time, or you lose the patient. Likewise, we must fight both oppressors at once. We must restore our sovereignty and rebuild our values. We must dismantle foreign domination and remove local tyrants. The real African democracy entails justice for all; leaders who serve the people and lose their throne the moment they betray them. Africa will not be free by choosing which master to fight first. We will be free only when we break all our chains, foreign and domestic, and put human dignity above all power. Farida Bemba Nabourema