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THE GOAL OF LEADERSHIP AND THE CRISES OF DEMOCRATIC DYNASTIES IN AFRICA

By Enikesomowo Kponu March 6, 2020

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The consequences of colonial inputs in Africa has played long in the dark room of blames. This follows the resultant characteristics which marred the the post colonial African States from the down end of the Cold War. Most Africans took to disgustful interpretations of colonial linkages on the continent, throwing positions to colonial disdains coloured by the early African " necessitated elites ". Such derogatory colourations affirms the terribleness of Westernization and or Europeanization on the continent and energizes the need for African endogenous development. This culminated in nationalistic and unification political as well as formations as OAU, ECOWAS, AU among many others. The accompanied aftermath was the supposed deliverance of the continent from colonial tutelage and ascendancy that gave epileptic model to the continent's culture, politics and economy marking the common traits of the continent. This birthed inevitable socio-political and economic challenges the continent and her " necessitated elites " has been confronted with since the 1950s and 1960s when Africa started recording the melody of Independence till present time. The effect also has created the massive gap between the role of leadership and the goal of leadership in the continent. This poses serious political questions bordering the role and goal of leadership as well as the development of the continent.

THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP

The role of leadership in its historicity has been restless search by leaders for modules, model and objects that would be instrumental to the development questions of societies. This underpins the concrete incessant efforts of individuals and groups who recognizes the need to better collective coexistence and to catch up with the rapidly dynamic reality of the world. Historically, leaders who inherit this essence pushes ideas that are instrumental for the better living and development of their respective States. This reality stunt in global politics became intensified since the Cold War dividing the world into the two ideological camps of the West and East and endures technically till date. Franklin D. Roosevelt floated America during the 2nd world war, Vladimir Putin antagonistically led the Soviet East, Adolf Hitler fronted the pace of encroachment by the Westerners, Winston Churchill represented the strength of Britain. Political figures as Hideki Tojo, Joseph Stanlin, Neville Chamberlain alongside others were emblems of their respective country's interest. Such " pull " and " push " forces that followed from the war motivated States to into the current of globalization and later nuclearization. Today, China, North Korea, U.K, U.S.A, India, Pakistan, France, Isreal, Russia, with others are at the edges of globalization and nuclearization leaving no room for African States. Though South Africa would rather match the profile, her apartheid regime discredits her from the list. South Africa had such strength under her alien rule. Pierre William Bother (1974) started the lead in South Africa and about six nuclear programmes were on record. She however, gave them in up in (1989) in conformity to UN's codes. The Conversation signals Egypt as the only African State that is nursing a concrete nuclear plan. Mr Singer comments " African States are weak States in a world characterized by power. Palmer Parkins defines Europe as an idea this no doubt points to the reason why is increasingly expanding but African leaders had and are doing little to this essence.

THE GOAL OF LEADERSHIP

Ultimately, the goal of societies have been the relay of catching up the concrete reality of a changing world. World Economic Forum agree that globalization traces its root to Xi'an, China, such compelling forces emitted by globalization triggers global interests in the world market.This amountedly, created the variants in waves of globalization occasioning the industrial, enlightenment and science revolutions all in the bid to better the human condition. BBC wote " Britain was able to attact a huge and rapidly expanding international market". Such waves provoked social reality, elevating economies contrary to all reason. Consequently, the adoption of Westernization and Europeanization as synonymous to globalization poses a big question to the developing African economy. TIME reports some elementary growth in Rwanda's economy under Paul Kagame in 2015. Freedom house noted that only 20% of nations qualify to be " free ". The question again turns to Africa if she is qualified or not. The both questions of the role and goal of leadership particularly in the modern caption of it equate itself with the world's social and political demands which demand answers from leadership that champion the course of development in any society.

THE CREATION OF DEMOCRATIC DYNASTIES IN AFRICA

The phenomenon of power elongation and power absolutism is not restricted to Africa alone, Asia and the Americas qualify also for this category. The 32nd president of America Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms in office though " necessary ", crowning him the longest president America ever had. Prasad served as the longest following India's indepence. In central Asia Emomali Rahmon worn over four terms, Fidel Castro monopolized power in Cuba, Albania's Enver Hoxha, Chiang Kai-shek of Taiwan, China, Tajikistan acquired the tittle " leader of the nation " in (2015), allowing Emomali Rahmon to run unlimited terms, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is supreme in Iran. However, the degree of such phenomenon in Africa makes the continent unique in this sense. Findings show that the continent has the highest cases of power tenacity with the strongman Teodore Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea as who is still holding power as the world's most tenacious president with other African leaders following side by side. This is more or less democratic dynasties in the modern sense. Nearly all States in the world today align with some form or elements of democracy, even monarchies take solace in some democratic elements. African political figures as Pual Biya of Cameroon, Denis Sasson of Congo, Ugandan Yoweri Museveni, Omir Al Bashir of Sudan and a bulk of others makes the continent peculiar in terms of power monopoly. The character of power monopolization in democracies only defends the doctrine of monarchical absolutism. Such properties of traditional absolutism manifest in the characters of modern democracies perpetuated by leaders and this is on the increase in Africa. Virtually all African leaders fight to hold onto power for life and to secure political power their circle. Consequently, this need is felt in the way the " necessitated elites " who were miserly distributed as at the early phase of Independence handled their States and supervised transition of government. Kwame Nkuruma declared his rule for life in (1964), Pual Biya counted 42 years in power and is still counting, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Muhammar Gadafi of Libya was forced out of power. Though not limited to Africa, Africa has the highest profile of the phenomenon started by early leaders which the necessity of independent gave them political power. Democratic dynasty may mean the extension or transcendence of political power or influence between outgoing and incoming regimes. African leaders stay put to power and knowing that all will die someday master and supervise government transitions to enable them continue to exert political influence in the political arena. Thus, African leaders leave political power to " transcender elites ". Though Africa alone is not in this, president George W. Bush was son to former president Goerge H. W. Bush . National Constitution Centre confirmed that presidents in America gave political positions to family members in White House, John Adam and his son John Quincy Adam (1797) , President Adam gave strategic position to his son in-law William Stephen in (1800). Fidel Castro entrusted power to his brother Rauls. However, this event is seemingly a norm in the political landscape of Africa. BBC caption (2015) reflect the intensity of power struggle in Africa. Family or democratic dynasties created out of democracies undermine the essence of the state and as such " transcendent elites " try to maintain political political power by playing to influences of those they inherited power from. In Nigeria the popular name is " Jagaban " for those who are seen as the power brokers. This negative influence stems from local to national realms. Wendy Luhabe (2015) interview highlighted a point that the black oppress and suppress the black. The reason is not far fetched , the ruling elites portrays the inherited genes of the " necessitated elites" in the attempt to stay in power, which is detrimental to role and goal of leadership. The politics of democratic dynasties seems to be the defining characteristics of the African continent after 150 years of the continent's independence. Joseph Kabila, Faure Gnassingbe, Robert Mugabe forms the chain of family dynasties with other leaders in the continent. Of the 54 countries in Africa, all are some sort of legal democracies except Morocco, Swaziland and Lesotho that still have monarchs as head of States.

WHY DOES AFRICAN LEADERS STAY PUT TO POWER

On this question most Africans throw their weight on the legacies of colonialism, J.P Nettl would blame his " inherited elites ", others would rather fault the Africans that forced power from the colonizers (necessitated elites). However, from findings three reasons for this ill characteristic are identified.

Feudalist Cognitivism :

Monarchies are feudalist States, African indigenous political systems were simple to complex monarchies. Zululand, Uganda, Oyo, Benin and others were expanded kingdoms that allowed for some limits of absolutism on the part of traditional elites. Colonialism forcing the metamorphosis of traditional politics shifted political power to the few educated (necessitated elites) who in turn saw the post independent States among other things as a lab for testing the " civil power ", whether such power equates that of the Monarchies that existed. There was the need to test the reality of civil political power whether it can equate the traditional absolutist. Louis xiv remarked " je sui le tat " " le tat je sui moir " ( I am the State, the State is me). African leaders at independence saw their respective States through the eye of the colonizers, they would have to test if civil power could be enjoyable like in monarchies therefore, African leaders saw themselves as supreme and their rules unchallengeable. They thus became power intoxicated and never want to lose such enjoyable political asset. And in that light African leaders become determined to enjoy absolute political power for life. In the 1950s Obafemi Awolowo of Nigeria dethroned and banished Oba Adeyemi ii the alaafin of Oyo and his son, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Ghana's Kwame Nkuruma, Muhammar Gadafi, with a chain of others qualify for this camp. Problem of Reconstruction : African leaders found it difficult accepting the reality of the revolutionary changes staged on the continent through colonialism. The distortions in culture, politics and economic formations by the colonizers threw the problem of how to reconcile the gap between that which existed and the new order enforced by colonialism. The new set of leaders not really knowing much about nation building in the context of Westernization carried on with the same strong fist from where the colonizers stopped with the believe that only them build the continent. Juv'enal Habyarimana of Rwanda is a good example as Rwandan elites were blamed for the 1994 genocide.

Problem of Reconstruction:

African leaders found it difficult accepting the reality of the revolutionary changes staged on the continent through colonialism. The distortions in culture, politics and economic formations by the colonizers threw the problem of how to reconcile the gap between that which existed and the new order enforced by colonialism. The new set of leaders not really knowing much about nation building in the context of Westernization carried on with the same strong fist from where the colonizers stopped with the believe that only them can build the continent. Juv'enal Habyarimana of Rwanda is a good example as Rwandan elites were blamed for the 1994 genocide.

Ego of Self :

The context of colonialism which saw the shift in power to the hands of the tiny privileged educated population on the continent made such " necessitated elites " develop the feeling of specialty. Such feelings made them believe they were and are the only qualified people who would build the continent. The feeling that only them have the architectural blueprint on the shape the continent or their respective States should take made them want to rule for life and in the case of them having to leave office then the need to plant successors through which the would continue to exert political influence and maintain political relevance in the continent. They believe only their ideoloy can and must work on the continent. African leaders also see the civil post colonial States as rewards for their nationalistic prowess and so believe such labour must not be in vain. Idiamin Dadar of Uganda, Muhammar Gadafi of Libya, Paul Biya, and nearly all African leaders are in this group.

ELEMENTS OF DEMOCRATIC DYNASTIES

Since the post colonial African States are mainly democracies the African elites or ruling class develop mechanisms for perpetuating their remaining in office and or maintaining political relevance even after leaving office. Findings reveal that African leaders ensure their enduring political power through these mechanisms.

Hoarding of the constitution :

The frame and spirit of the country's constitution are in the hand of the leaders. The leaders make sure majority of the parliament are strategically positioned by them. That makes it easier for the constitution and parliament to the manipulated. All such key institutions like the judiciary, military, and parliament are dominated by the leader. He let down one and set up another who would be under his whims and caprices. The leader see state institutions as his properties which could be tempered with at will. Faure Gnassingbe (2020) influenced the parliament of Togo to perpetuate his rule for a third term, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria pushed for it but failed. There is romour of president Muhammadu Buhari eying a third term.

Election handling :

Election processes are cheated in such senses as thuggery, bribery, inflation and deflation of population figures, snatching of ballot boxes, threats and self imposition. Charles Taylor of Liberia, Nigeria's Ibrahim Babangida, and the host of others are in this category.

Undertaking of soft social projects :

Considering the very high profile of resources in the of Africa, the development pace is more than slow if it must be ranked. There is the character of substandardness in terms of delivery of social demands. The continent is marked with poverty, weak infrastructures, pitiable living conditions and condemnable social response from the State. Leaders deliver to the people poor social services, they build learning institutions their children can not go for learning, they have good hospitals yet they never approach for medical attention, epileptic power supply to mention but a few. However, this weak delivery of social demands produces appealing effect on majority of the population who are poor. The masses believe what they have seen is the best of social conditions one can experience. Therefore, they are to a large extent comforted with the little they experience. Such effect make the citizens who are poor see the leader as demigod and are willing to do anything for such leader. Citizens make such common remarks " things are not that bad " " they have tried " " all will be well " " God is in control " which go a long way pacifying them. This appeal also prevent the majority masses from hearing, seeing and submitting to social reality. All African leaders are victims of this category as the continent has much but reap little.

Replacement :

government transitions are doctored and supervised by the ruling class or elites and they insure the buck of governing pass onto elites within their circle. This could be family and or party and successors maybe immediate children, friends or party loyalists. Through such structures power continue to remain in a circle.This is of much importance to the political class cause they would want civil power transitions to not to reflect totipotency which they feel will may perhaps hunt them with time. The " transcendent elites " have no choice than to continue with the Ideology of those who installed them.

Inducement of state bureaucracies :

Administrative bureaucratic structures are induced by leaders. Inducement may take the form of strategic appointments, bribe packages , pumping of money to military and police chiefs as well as national and local leaders of social and civil associations, royal fathers and pressure groups. This in effect build legitimacy and trust for the ruling class and it becomes deficult for mobilization of resistance against the ruling elites.

Compartmentalization of power :

power blocs are formed connecting to the ruling class and may be as many as possible. How compartmentalization of political power works is visibly simple. From findings, Mr A and B, as well as C and D are directly connected to Mr President or the ruling class but have huge dependencies who see them as godfathers. The connected to Mr President has dependencies from national to local enclaves, same go to Mr C, D, x, Y, Z that serves as power blocs for and within the ruling party. This manifests during elections in the continent were the electorates seem not have any businesses to deal with the personality of the leader but is more concerned with the Mr A, B, C, X, Y, Z that are connected to the leader through which they get their crumbs. Still, it is difficult to form resistance with this structure. And again this confers. legitimacy of some sort to the system of power monopoly in the context of Mr X, Y, Z commonly called " Party Vote Mobilizers ".

Ideology of Enlightenment :

The ruling elites seem to have the negative ideology of non or poor enlightenment of the masses. There is a popular saying " a mind that knows is a mind that is free ". Political leaders in the continent thus, undermine the place of positive political enlightenment of the masses and rather capitalize on the poor ignorant masses. This is see in the way they treat aducation in their respective States. Most African States give little priority to the development of education in their countries. The children of the ruling elites most times does not receive learning from institutions established by their own father. The reason is near the fact that advance learning require such conditions as exposure, learning facilities, good weather and environmental conditions, knowledge liberty and freedom among other motivations. The deprivation of the political knowledge of the citizenry makes them develop the prime feeling of political apathy which without doubt makes them apolitical. Hence, citizens are not concerned about whether or not a leader is holding onto power for life, they believe it's not their business that they will survive with or without such tenacious leader. Thisignorance allows the dubious ruling elites to easily manipulate electorates during elections which results in electorates fighting during election because of money given to them by the so called power blocs. In the 1980s the Nigerian government supervised school curriculums and even lectures to achieve this end.

IMPLICATIONS OF DEMOCRATIC DYNASTIES IN AFRICA

The challenges associated with democratic dynasties as mechanism for governance in the continent are much and devastating. The character of " transcendent elites " fighting to demonstrate the political will of their political ancestors or godfathers is detrimental to the development of the continent. Emphatically, the socio-political and economic arena suffers the most. Leaders continue to see the state as their personal property, that is through the eyes of those from whom they inherited power. Thus , they continue to lavish the common wealth of the State giving little consideration to economic and socio-political development. Leaders prefer the luxury of awesome cars, mansions, private Jets, unimaginable salary schemes, parties and unpresedented vacations abroad. The attendant effect is that the African economy remains at the base of world economic strata with such characteristics as poor delivery of social demands, incumbent and past leaders can not be held accountable and or probed given the principles of democratic family dynasties among others.The continent is " legally recognized but not politically and economically relevant in global politics. All African leaders fall prey to this ignominious acts. Indicators show that the fate of Africa will grow worse in the near future given the rapid pace of the of the common ills rampaged the continent which is not near good for the role and goal of leadership in the current dispensation of globalization.

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