Major Crisis in African Politics

Africans have suffered for so many years in their own land and abroad due to different political theories and ideologies applied to govern their socio-cultural, political and economic lives. These philosophies were not only half-understood but also were not genuinely practice. Out political experience had shown that there are existing contradictions in African politics. In fact, colonialism, imperialism and neo-colonialism have been the major structure in which African political philosophy is erected. Having suffered so many years in slavery, what I wish to refer to as ‘neo-slavery ideology’ had ensued for years and the battle for reconstruction and rebuilding of Africans identity, culture, history and personality have been expressed by both Africans at home and those in Diaspora.

However, having attained independent, many people from the region believe that a new dawn and a genuine humanity of African can be built from African experience. Thus, all activities were in the past geared to rebranding of the people’s heritage. What follows was an attempt to construct a political theory that reflect our nature thereby removing individualism, exploitation and harshness of colonialism transported to the continent via domination by some Western government. However, it seems clear that colonial rule seems not to disappear in the African domain. It is also evidenced that the people themselves have digested the traits of colonialism and wish not to do away with it.

The inherent conflict and contradiction could be noticed in the divide between the rich and the poor, the government and the masses, the private sector and the public, to mention but a few. Most importantly, the theory of democracy is not uphold with full sincerely. For instance, government who often declare their desire for rule of law often resists dialogue as a means of settling dispute, most convicted people are not given adequate time to argue their case; policemen violate people’s right etc. Moreover, our African brothers in other part of the continent often experience similar problems.

At the moment, Africa’s democracy is totalitarian, harsh, cruel and violent. We could see this harshness in every department of our lives, but these attributes are not in consonance with our humanitarian and egalitarian historical traits which remains with us until the colonial master brought what I wish to call ‘individualistic and egoistic tendency’. The one characterized by the desire to satisfy one’s interest alone, without considering what happens to others.

In my view, democracy is not only a political philosophy; but also a social, cultural and economic philosophy as well. What this hits at is just that our culture, social behavior and our businesses must account for fair play, equity, justice and sincerity. I observe that neo-colonialism had shrunk the people even when we claim to be self-governed yet we have not been able to remove ourselves from the shackles of the past. Most African countries involve in political ideology with reference for changes but are unable to live beyond theoretical framework. I wish to posit here that politics is not theoretical but practical engagement with reference to better the lots of the people.

For change to be accompanied, it is requested that all department of the countries in Africa should be given its due consideration. The social, cultural, economic, and political, education and most importantly, the humanitarian and egalitarian nature of the people must be incorporated in any political strategy we wish to explore. It is observed that the Africans are strong, educated, powerful and intelligent. They love freedom but sincerely they often sleep in the den of mediocrity. I think that attribute of good governance that will satisfy the interest of the majority should not only be found in text or manifesto but should be made reality.

Progress and advancement is not a myth neither is it an illusion. It could be achieved in African politics and societies. Thus, for radical change to be possible, all hands must be on desk. I posit that change involves a revolution of ideology which in itself is self-sustaining and peaceful. Though, it lies beyond wishful thinking, violence and emotional certitude that Romanize with words which often hinder pragmatic actualization of the goal of politics.
Against this backdrop, a call for change in African socio-political philosophy is such directed toward political and theoretical emancipation of the black continent from premature struggling with the past, rejection of unrealistic adherence to what is not practical and refusal to clinch on what is not progressive.

Hence, I submit that this revolution is non-violent and is not a call to disregard what is non-African, but a call directed toward absorbing only the positive ingredients in world’s philosophies. In other words, like most advanced societies, African should imbibe the habit for change in all her faculties. Corruption, kidnapping, rape, drug related offenses, nepotism, violence, inter-tribal crises, religions conflict among others should be done away with. The government of African nations should encourage the people by leading by example. We should not tell a child that he or she should not do certain things while we do them. To this end, the right order of change is such that is built on selfless service to humanity. Change is total but not piecemeal, so all the people should be involved for it to be fully ascertained.

In conclusion, it will be untrue to hold that change is impossible in Africa due to her long time deprivation, denigration and slavery from the activities of the colonial government and bad leadership. This consideration of change has shown that it is also erroneous to believe that only prayer or wishful thinking could help. On this ground, it is believed that the major portfolio for change is the mutual inclusive of these traits as well as an energetic action directed toward rebranding our society in terms of taking a positive step in realization of our egalitarian personalities which is rooted in heavy dose of ethics and culture, rather than one stimulated by an individual interest.

Samuel Olusegun Steven (Student)
Department of Philosophy
Lagos State University, Ojo
meetseggsus@yahoo.com/08135669061