Africa is a continent on the eastern
hemisphere, south of the Mediterranean and adjoining Asia on the North-east.
Around the 18th century, Africa became the home of black people who
returned from labouring on plantations in the Americas and Europe. It became
heavily partitioned and colonized by powerful nations in search of mineral and
other natural resources during what was referred to as the scramble for Africa.
Despite all of these, the continent has over the years been plagued with series
of armed conflicts that led to some of the World’s worst atrocities ever
recorded in human history. These occurrences are largely responsible for the
backward situation in Africa today, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, which
accounts for the least developed part of the World. However, the underpinning
factor that has been determined to be chiefly responsible for the retrogressing
trend in Africa is the issue of bad or undemocratic governance within African
States.
The term “sovereignty” has transitioned from an
Anglo-French form of sovereignty to Middle English sovereignty. The word came
into formal usage around the 14th century. The current nation or
state sovereignty is often traced back to the Treaty of Westphalia (1648),
which in relation to states, codified the basic principles of territorial
integrity, border inviolability, and supremacy of the state. Sovereignty in
modern sense exists and can be discussed in many forms and contexts, few of
which are absoluteness, exclusivity, de jure, and de facto, non-state, amongst
others. Sovereignty is usually exercised within borders where the rights of
sitting governments are respected and not are not influenced by external
authorities. The key elements of sovereignty in the legalistic sense is that of
exclusivity of jurisdiction. Specifically, when a decision is made by a
sovereign entity, it cannot generally be overruled by a higher
authority-usually another state.
Historically, the international Community is
led by some of the World’s most powerful nations that treat sovereignty because
of interest. For instance, powers that once colonized countries in Africa have
continued to exercise, if not control, implicit guidance in the governance
processes over their former colonies. Regime change, for example in many of
these developing countries has been largely influenced by their former
colonizers. The United Nations took a definite step in dealing with sovereignty
and non-interference of states as contained in Article 2 of its Chapter stating
in principle that nations are entitled to the exercise of their inalienable
rights to self-determination and national independence. This enables states to
decide freely on their own future to uphold the principles of national
sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
As a result of upholding the basic tenant of
sovereignty wherein big and small nations can freely exercise their rights and
decide their destiny, some individuals who come to power in Africa soon turn to
be dictators, tyrants, and despots. They often abuse the rights of citizens in
many forms and do everything to perpetuate themselves in power. For instance,
Mabutu Sese Seko ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, for a
period of 30 years. He amassed huge wealth from the country’s resources and
diverted billions of dollars in his personal accounts abroad. He was removed
from office by a military revolt led by Laurent Kabila. Kabila was in turn
killed after a brief period in office and was replaced by his son Joseph
Kabila.
Gnassingbe Eyadema became one of Africa’s
longest serving heads of state. He came to power through a military takeover.
He manipulated all the electoral processes in his 38-year reign and exited the
Presidency of Togo only at his death. His son took over from him and still
rules the Republic of Togo. Muamar Gadhafi ruled the people of Libya for over
four decades and sponsored some of the violent conflicts in Africa. Liberia is
an example of one of those countries victimized by Gadhafi’s sponsored rebel wars.
Omar Bongo also spent 42 years as President of Gabon and his conscience would
not caution him that he was holding onto the people’s power for too long. That
country is having a rough transition from the overthrow of his son that was
leader on that country.
Liberia had its share of dictatorship under
President William V.S. Tubman who ruled the country for 27 unbroken years. Out
of that, Liberia has had its own bad experiences including the killing of
President Tolbert and a 14-year Civil War. Robert Mugabe officially became
Zimbabwe’s President in 1980, apart from the eight years spent in what was
known as the Liberation struggle with black nationalists of Zanu and Zapu
against white rule in the former Rhodesia. He held onto power for so long in
Zimbabwe. Paul Biya has been President of Cameroon for more than 26 years and
had declared that he could continue holding on to power until otherwise. The
constitution of Rwanda has been amended to accommodate a third term for
President Paul Kigame
AS I SEE IT, the instances above are clear evidence that
Africa has suffered and continues to suffer from dictatorships in the name of
sovereignty. When will Africans realize that “power” the world over is all
about- maintaining it, protecting it, and consolidating it in the best interest
of the people-they will it-they (Africans) will elect the right leaders. Let’s
learn from these few instances and keep Africa save by upholding the true
values of democracy. The suffering people of Africa need to benefit from the
desired outcomes of peace and economic growth and development. Let those who
have ears hear.
About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. is an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Slovenia where he specialized in International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ This dissertation was supervised by Prof. Dr. Gorazd Justinek who was also then Dean of the Faculty of Government and European Studies. Dr. Kaydor earned his second master’s in public policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. He obtained his first master’s degree as a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction), and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science with emphasis in Comparative Government and Politics from the University of Liberia where his Minor was History with Mass Communication his Elective. Tom holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; a Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy and Negotiations from the Islamabad Foreign Service Academy in Pakistan and he holds other professional diplomas and certificates from Italy, UK, China, and Israel. Prof. Kaydor is also an Adjunct Professor of International Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. He is an evidence-based researcher, a blogger, a columnist, and a published author. He is a Reviewer for 6 peer-reviewed International Journals. Prof Kaydor has published 6 books in English; French; Portuguese; Spanish; Italian; German; Italian; with several peer-reviewed articles indicated in his CV @ https://tomkaydor.blogspot.com/2024/09/prof-dr-tom-kaydor-cv.html. Dr. Kaydor served as Deputy Foreign Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration in Liberia; Assistant Foreign Minister for Afro Asian Affairs in Liberia; UN Coordination Advisor in Ethiopia; UN Coordination Analyst in Liberia; UNICEF-Liberia National Consultant on the Formulation of the Roadmap for Children Living in Street Situations; UNICEF-Liberia Volunteer Engagement Specialist; Chief of Staff-Office of the Chairperson on Executive, House of Representatives; Field Supervisor for LCIP/USAID/DAI Social and Economic Reintegration-Liberia; Psychosocial Officer, World Vision International-Liberia Program. He can be reached via (Email: kaydorth@ul.edu.lr or kaydorth@gmail.com).
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