Kenya’s Moi, Liberia’s Taylor: Wakeup call to Ethiopia and Africa

By Aie Zi Guo*

April 24, 2006 — The uninvited guest-colonialism- swarmed Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. Then African freedom fighters started a war of resistance against colonialism and apartheid in the 50’s. Inspired by their dreams millions of Africans hoped that these freedom fighters would bring an end to colonial rule. Hence, true freedom based on the rule of law, justice and equality would flourish. Slavery in all its forms would be abolished. Real freedom in terms of judicial, individual, societal, economic and political would ensue. Colonial masters would return to where they come from, leaving Africa for Africans. Behind this ambition and emboldened by Ethiopia’s victory over fascist Italia at Adewa in 1896, freedom fighters managed to conquer colonialism between the 60’s and mid 70’s. But Ethiopians struggled internally to change the feudal system of governance.

At the time of independence new African leaders received a clandestine colonial legacy of corruption and nepotism. Africa started to be ruled by its own leaders who promised to heal the wrongdoing of colonial masters. Sustain, however small it may be, the development initiated by Europeans. Create employment opportunities to Africans. Bring economic prosperity to the continent through sound macro economic management of the vast and diverse natural resource that Mother Nature has bestowed Africa. Optimism reigned among Africans that indigenous leaders would open a new chapter of improved socio- economic and political development for self-reliance.

Unfortunately, at the end of the 20th century neither economic prosperity nor real freedom in its true sense was achieved. Ordinary army officers with little background on politics and governance orchestrated coup d’etat. Uniformed Africans deposing civilian governments have become the norm of the day. The African defense establishments have been politicized. The army shifted from its core mandate of defending a nation to one of a political savvy. Sadly, anarchism and law of the jungle replaced the rule of law and civilian leadership. The meagre democracy that existed during pre/post independent Africa was abused. Africa has been mismanaged and looted by tyrant leaders.

Consequently, new breed of guerilla3 fighters were created. This time the guerrilla leaders fought against their own people to bring democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, Mouseveni of Uganda and Charles Taylor of Liberia are the Samaritans of this generation of fighters.

However, these new breeds of freedom fighters did not do any better than their predecessors. They replaced nationalism with ethenicism. Religious tolerance was replaced with sectarian violence. Human rights were grossly violated. Poverty, disease, malnutrition and illiteracy became the sole identity of Africa. Africa’s resources were squandered in unimaginable proportions. Gun culture ruled over reason and logic. Once again Africa and Africans were colonized. This time not by foreign invaders but by indigenous elite guerrilla leaders who usurp power all in the name of democracy or by those who were intoxicated by cold war politics of communism Vs Capitalism.

To everyone’s dismay Africa has been in constant turmoil and chaos for half a century. The sons and daughters of Africa have failed the continent miserably. The optimism and dreams of Africans for a better future shattered in post independent Africa. The UNHDI4 report puts Africa at the bottom of the five continents in terms of economic, social, and political development. By the end of the 20th century, African leaders crowned the continent with poverty, underdevelopment, gross human rights violations, civil war, Illiteracy, disease, HIV/AIDS, debt, famine and malnutrition. They decorated Africa with shame and humiliation in the face of international politics and diplomacy. The continent went from the slide to the mud.

The educated and trained human capital lost faith in the system of governance and overall leadership. Doctors, physicians, engineers, lawyers, businessmen and youth left the continent for Europe and North America. Majority left in pursuit of democracy, freedom and better employment opportunities. Consequently, Africa suffered from shortage of trained human resources. A country like Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa have suffered from acute brain drain, says the IOM.

For example: Ethiopia lost over a quarter of a million Ethiopians with secondary school level education and above to corporate America and Canada. Equal numbers are estimated to be in Europe. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Ethiopian Diaspora is keen to return to their country of origin should there be an enabling sociopolitical environment. More importantly if governments appreciate the intelligentsia’s role in their country’s development endeavors. This is also true to other African Diaspora. By the end of the 20th century the dreams of millions of Africans were shattered and many are still in disbelief of what is happening in the continent.

Having lost a chance in the 20th century, would the 21st century bring hope and optimism to Africa and Africans? There are all reasons for optimism because:

– The political divide which divided African politicians on western and eastern ideologies have diminished. Africans fighting on different ideological grounds have been dismal;
– The winds of democracy have started to blow across the continent since 2000. About 20 African countries are on the road to democratic leadership;
– Western powers that have influenced African politics and to some extent orchestrated coup d’etat have realized the continent’s problem and seem committed to help. Their readiness is demonstrated in the NEPAD initiative agreed at the G-8 nations meeting in Kananaskus, Canada in 2002. Criteria of compliance by African leaders to benefit from NEPAD were defined. These criteria include the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and respect of individual and collective human rights. At least this looks good on paper. We still don’t know to what extent the international community is sincere and committed to promoting these values. Current international actions can be summarized as leap services at best and double standard at worst. Nevertheless, Africans continue to believe that the implementation of the NEPAD initiatives will encourage African leaders to work for democracy and development;

– Africans are, more than ever, conscious of their democratic rights. Recent election campaigns in Ethiopia, Uganda, S. Africa, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Kenya demonstrated people’s readiness to embrace change for new mode of governance and leadership;

– The establishment of the United Nations tribunal on genocide and crime against humanity is a deterrent, which serves as a check and balance of the behavior of African leaders. Recent events surrounding Charles Taylor are wakeup calls to every rouge leader in Africa;

– September 11, 2001 has sparked new partnership between Africa and the west against international terrorism. Poor African nations could furnish a fertile ground for the proliferation of terrorism. The industrialized world has realized the significance and vulnerability of Africa to this global menace. They seem determined to help Africa eradicate poverty & underdevelopment; and

– Financial institutions like the Swiss Bank are no keener to hide the monies embezzled by African Heads of States. The world has no more appetite to give sanctuary to those corrupt and undemocratic leaders of Africa who looted the resources of the people whom they were destined to serve.

Is Africa ready for change? The answer is a resounding YES! The African people are ready for democracy. This has been demonstrated in recent election campaigns in Eastern and Western Africa. Africa does not suffer a democracy deficit. Two-thirds of sub-Saharan African countries have had democratic elections since 2000. Power has changed hands in a number of nations, from Senegal to Tanzania, and from Ghana to Zambia. Africans have shown their profound readiness to change leadership at the ballet box rather than through the barrel of the gun. Who is not ready for change? The leaders of Africa and the int’l community who preach democracy on paper are not ready yet. It is time for everyone to initiate the mechanics of real action for change. The flogging and stoning to death of women and men for Adulatory, and embezzlement of the oil resources in Nigeria be stopped. Leaders of Swaziland marrying more than ten wives and yet preach equality of women and men ought to be abolished and not tolerated. Torture, killing and arrest of opposition groups in the name of democracy; summary expulsion of university professors from Ethiopian universities just because they have different opinions from government; minority ethnic rule which is not democratically sustainable must not be allowed to be the norm of democratic leadership in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and the rest of Africa must learn from Arap Moi of Kenya and Taylor of Liberia. Moi ruled Kenya with unparalleled dictatorship (all in the name of democracy) for about three decades. Moi’s success can only be summarized in short and long distance athleticism. It took his leadership three decades to realize wrongdoing. However, Moi’s attitude of relinquishing power to a democratically elected president Mr. Mwai Kibaki is commendable. Better late than never, Africans have to learn from Moi’s slow wakeup of succumbing to democratic realities. It is particularly true to neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Djibouti and the Sudan. The democratic process in Kenya is a wakeup call for all African leaders. Africans are saying to their leaders’ “morning bells are ringing ding dang dong”.

It is hoped that leaders like Prime Minster Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia would come to their senses before too many damages are done to their country. Minority rule in Ethiopia needs to think for political reconciliation and prepare the country for democratic transition of power. No one is immune from making mistakes, but admitting mistakes and responding with amicable solutions is not only wise but is also a civilized behavior. Meles’s belligerence should yield to negotiation. We have seen negotiations in contentious settings in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the North-South element of the Sudan crisis. There is no reason why it is not possible in Ethiopia.

Recently, the US state department lamented that Ethiopia is at a dangerous political crossroads. It is an indication that the future of the country is grim. Ethiopia was able to traverse many crossroads in its ancient and contemporary political life by breathing its breath to resolve its problems. Ethiopian leaders including opposition parties ought to seize the May 15, 2005 election opportunities to make history. This Golden opportunity coupled by your wisdom and power should inspire Ethiopians to traverse the cross roads with pride and dignity. What you need is good will, dedication, mutual understanding and putting people’s interest first. Ethiopian politicians ought to avoid revenge and malice. Political Vendetta is a cowardice approach to justice. Democratic reasoning is wisdom. It is when you do that you can be able to enter in the good history books of the 21st century.

Avoid political rhetoric and inflammatory talks. For example Mr. Meles has once said: “We shall negotiate while we fight and we shall fight while we negotiate”. This strategy is inherently wrong, because the war mentality and the fighting mentally are both on the negotiation table. This is the modus operandi of Talibans. You cannot negotiate with a gun in your left hand and an Olive Branch on your right. This approach encourages the polarization of the political divide in the country. There is nothing to be gained from this type of political nonsense. Ethiopians expect Meles to negotiate in good faith. Anybody in good conscious should not have a problem to faithful negotiation. For the sake of peace and development Meles should keep his words where his mouth is. Once again Meles Zenawi said “I have no problem talking to anybody so long as it helps the purpose of peace.” Cognizant of the fact that Ethiopians have a culture of talking to each other to solve community problems; your gesture to talk is a welcome omen to all. Truly if you have no problem talking, then talk to all oppositions parties and groups both inside and outside the country to find acceptable solution to Ethiopia’s ills. What is now required is the action to your talk that will restore confidence and responsible leadership. “Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but also the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.”

You need to learn from history, because the past is the bases and the present is the reality that we base our vision for the future. In 2002 Immediately after his election defeat, the outgoing president Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya had this to say to Kenyans, “The people of Kenya have demonstrated to the world that Africa can manage its own destiny without disruption”. In his inaugural speech the incoming president Mr. Mwai of Kenya also said “there should be no bitterness. Let us all unite in forgiveness and reconciliation, and work hard to rebuild Kenya”. One hopes that the East African giant, Ethiopia could demonstrate that it too could reconcile with itself to determine its destiny. Be courageous to take bitter decision like Moi to prove with actions that Ethiopia is indeed the symbol of African freedom.

In a final note Meles and other African leaders must realize that their children and the children of Ethiopia and Africa are not born to hate and you must not raise them to hate. Like the wise man said “Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.” If you want to follow the wise man’s advise follow Moi’s route the alternative will be the route of Chrales Taylor.

* The writer is an economist who is interested on international affairs particularly on Ethiopia. He resides in Canada. He can be reached at [email protected]