The pain of elections in Africa
Thursday, September 07, 2017
One political commentator went even further to say that the curse that have afflicted the state of African people and its politics can be traced to the slave trade era through to more than hundred years of colonialism and further extended to post colonial Africa and beyond.
I fully agree with him because after many African countries got their independence in the 50s, 60s and 70s many people wrongly thought that the time for true liberation and ushering of democracy had arrived. Lo and behold, the so called liberation heroes turned their backs on the very people they have claimed to be liberating. Corrupt, horrible dictatorships occupied the seats that rightly belonged to democratically accountable institutions. Elections in many African countries were declared a taboo and one party system of rule ensued.
While his leadership has brought about significant progress and development, it is imperative that he exercises greater caution in his choice of words, particularly when addressing sensitive matters.One of the primary concerns is the potential impact of his remarks on Botswana’s relationship with De Beers, the diamond mining giant that plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy.The partnership between Botswana and De Beers has been mutually...