By Ngembeni Wa Namaso
In the wake of post-independence, African nations have struggled with numerous challenges, particularly in the realm of governance.
As countries attempt to forge a path toward stability and economic growth, the promise of Western-style democracy has come under increasing scrutiny.
Pan-Africanists, drawing on decades of political and economic observation, now argue for a reevaluation of Western democratic models in Africa. Their contention is that despite investing billions into democratic processes and electoral cycles, African nations have seen little return in terms of equitable governance or substantial economic progress.
This analysis seeks to dissect the contradictions embedded within the application of Western democracy in Africa, using Cameroon as a case study, and proposes a rethinking of governance that aligns more closely with the continent’s unique needs.
The Allure and the Reality of Western Democracy in Africa
The adoption of Western democratic principles was initially seen as an essential step for African nations in achieving self-governance, justice, and prosperity. The framework of free elections, rule of law, and representative government promised a new era, intended to replace colonial legacies with a system of self-determination.
However, the reality has been somewhat different. Despite elections funded by significant financial and human resources, results frequently fall short of expectations. Electoral fraud, manipulation, and violence have marred the democratic process in many nations. Even when elections are relatively peaceful, the anticipated economic boom often fails to materialize, with many African countries languishing in poverty and underdevelopment.
When comparing the economic trajectories of African nations practicing Western democracy with those of so-called "non-democratic" counterparts in Asia and the Middle East, the disparities become apparent. Countries like China, which operate under a centralized, non-western democratic model, have experienced significant economic growth, infrastructural development, and massive poverty reduction.
Similarly, nations like the United Arab Emirates have built modern economies and robust infrastructures without relying on Western democratic principles. This stands in stark contrast to many African states where economic growth remains stagnant and infrastructure is underdeveloped, despite the supposed democratic ideals they uphold. Even South Africa with one of Africa's most advanced infrastructures, achieved a significant part of that feat under the abhorrent Apartheid.
The Problem of Accountability and Governance
One might assume that the years spent "learning by doing" in a democratic system would lead to the internalization of democratic principles among African political leaders and institutions. The expectation would be that, over time, a culture of accountability would take root, allowing democratic institutions like parliaments to effectively oversee government actions and protect public interest. However, recent developments suggest otherwise.
A telling example is the recent incident on Cameroon’s CRTV Prime-time programme Press Hour, where Hon. Peter Ambang Njume, a member of the CPDM and representative of the Ndian II constituency, called on President Paul Biya to allow the parliament to function more effectively. https://mimimefoinfos.com/allow-parliament-play-its-role-cpdm-mp-tells-biya/
His appeal was not just a call for more legislative activity; it was an implicit admission that the parliamentary system has yet to evolve into a fully functional check on executive power. The statement underscores the growing frustration over the inability of legislative bodies to act independently and in the national interest, even decades after the adoption of democratic practices.
This weakness of parliamentary democracy is not unique to Cameroon but is emblematic of a larger issue facing African countries attempting to adapt Western democratic systems. The failure to embed a genuine spirit of democracy in these institutions points to the fact that many African societies have yet to cultivate the checks and balances necessary for effective governance.
The Colonial Legacy: A Double-Edged Sword
One of the most enduring legacies of colonialism in Africa is the system of administrative governance, which continues to exert influence over many countries’ political landscapes. Cameroon, for instance, operates a dual system in which an administrative model inherited from the colonial era coexists uneasily with modern parliamentary structures. The system includes unelected officials like regional Governors, Préfets, and sous-Préfets, who wield considerable power - almost Presidential, at the local levels.
These administrators, who are appointed and serve at the discretion of the central government, often hold powers arguably superior to those of elected officials. This can create a functional tension between the administrative and parliamentary systems that can stifle genuine democratic engagement.
In the worst case scenarios this parallel, locally unaccountable systems of governance can render the Parliamentarians functionally irrelevant - who upon election and investiture become "Parliamentarians of the Nation". So, whereas the local Administrators are referred-to fondly as "Chefs de terres", and are often almost omnipresent, some Parliamentarians can go for many months without an effective presence in their constituencies, thereby relinquishing local influence to the "Chefs de terres".
The potential for antagonism between the administrative governance structure and the representatives elected by the people can be particularly problematic.
Unelected officials, with their quasi-presidential powers at the local level, may clash covetly or overtly with elected representatives, undermining the legitimacy and authority of democratic institutions.
This division complicates the task of fostering a culture of accountability, as it creates a governance structure where true power appears decentralized, yet lacks democratic oversight.
The Way Forward: Rethinking Governance in Africa
The challenges of Western-style democracy in Africa do not necessitate a complete abandonment of democratic principles but rather an adaptation to the continent's specific needs and historical context.
Pan-Africanists advocate for a hybrid model of governance that integrates democratic elements while drawing on more authoritative and historically tested forms of leadership, including Militaro-administrative.
Such a model could blend the strengths of a constitutional State, local governance and representative democracy, allowing for more coherent and culturally relevant structures.
This approach might involve enhancing the role of local governance, giving regional and local leaders more autonomy to act in the interest of their communities while maintaining national oversight through a reimagined State and parliamentary system. The role of administrative officials, rather than eradicating them, can be redefined to ensure they serve as facilitators of democratic processes with local accountability, rather than as parallel centers of power.
This could help align the interests of locally sourced, appointed administrators with those of elected officials, fostering an environment where policies can be more effectively developed, implemented, and scrutinized.
In Conclusion,
Africa's experiment with Western democracy has yielded mixed results, marked by both failures and limited successes. While democratic principles such as free elections and the rule of law are valuable, they need to be adapted to fit the social, economic, and political realities of the continent.
The current system in countries like Cameroon, where inherited colonial structures clash with modern democratic institutions, demonstrates that simply adopting a Western model, and adding that to an insufficiently decolonized foundation may be inappropriate and insufficient.
A new approach, intentionally oriented, first, towards development goals, and tailored to African realities and capable of harnessing the strengths of both democratic and administrative systems, could pave the way for true development-oriented governance that meets the needs of the people and fosters sustainable development.
In this pivotal moment, African leaders and citizens must engage in open dialogue about what governance should look like in the 21st century.
The future of the continent may depend on this willingness to rethink and redefine what democracy means in an African context that seeks transformational economic growth, with which to counter what is now termed "the new scramble for Africa".
Ngembeni Wa Namaso is an Environmental Management Specialist and commentator on Society and Politics. He holds a PhD in Forest Policy and Economics He is based in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
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