Letters & Opinions

Africa needs more political will

Andrew M Manyevere

2005-02-10, Issue 193

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/26731

Printer friendly version

I notice many efforts African heads of states put towards the betterment of the continent and one feels most obliged at the foresight and vision. The spirit is excellent and cannot be faulted at all.

I feel though that what Africa lacks is that political will to sincerely eliminate her burdens. There has to be collective will to permit leadership circulation.

For as long as the Africa Union cannot create fear for abuse of authority in her member states there will always be those leaders who do not care for their national development. It must be remembered that some of the most insightful thoughts and contribution to the former OAU were contributed by men like Seseko Mabutu. Mabutu was an American agent well known to many African scholars and leaders, a dictator of renounced record, and yet still he played a useful role in shaping the future of Africa. Does that render African institutions credible at all and does that show leadership of integrity at all on the continent? What fails us as a people is not lack of intelligence nor ability to perform but lack of political sincerity to evaluate each other and put a realistic standard to be followed by all as we compete with the world at large and not only among ourselves in poverty.

Let me look at the issue of HIV/AIDS and TB on the continent. The continent has both herbs and skills which could, if harnessed and collectively used with better rewards for creativity, have long taken Africa out of the dark ages but instead Africa goes deeper and deeper into dark ages from both financial dependence and cultural hegemony of solicited imperialism. From 1999 Africa has been making very good resolutions on paper that have failed to work practically. The strong resistance from those who have taken political power from colonial masters has been a greater cause of set back than it has been a blessing to Africa.

Africa committed itself to try and spend 15% of her GDP on medical improvements so that her people will not suffer. The salaries nurses are paid are the poorest in the world even though their dedication is equalled to none. The lack of motivation firstly from political leadership will not see Africa come out of its current impasse without a big price to pay in human loss of life.

Since 1999 and every respective year Africa heads of states have met and among other things they have talked and resolved on the African condition with very minor progress made. Why? The following are partly the reasons:
- Lack of proper and strict accountability for donor funds and not having tangible set goals for what has to be done with funds.
- Too much political interference
- Sometimes the seeking for donor funds is caused by the greed of those in power.

Every African country has suffered from the self inflicted exodus of skilled personnel. Africa's human resources are a pride to other nations in the world and not to Africa because of poor African political leadership and subsequent decisions at national levels. Its all very good to talk of resolutions but when there is no political will to see those decisions followed to the letter Africa cannot be blind to its own down fall for too long. Where resources have been put to good use there has been substantial improvements in health standards of living even though some nations still suffer from wanton unaccountability of resources which have often found their way into accounts of ministers and presidents. Thank you to President Kibaki of Kenya for having engineered the genesis of African financial recuperation by instituting leadership declaration of wealth.

Let me end with comments on Zimbabwe as my home state. When one considers health facilities in the context of what was there in 1980, there is a serious degeneration in services standards, personnel availability and dishonesty in implementing funds to medical programs. Zimbabwe has receieved sizable donations through numerous NGOs who have as a result only received a thank-you of banishment from the country. HIV/AIDS has grown with too much rhetoric coming from the government of the day.

Mugabe could have long left power to some capable person if he trusted what he has done in the last twenty years. Even when all these human degradations are taking place in Zimbabwe, at every forum of the Africa Union the same Robert Mugabe is ululated and receives aclaim from African leadership without any questions. It's embarrasing what Africa make us go through honestly. It will take the British and the French once again to give us decency in managing our own affairs by recolonizing us while we cry foul.

Good resolutions came out of Abuja once again in January 24-31 in 2005, and I bet no better than those of 1999 but the African condition has barely begun to change. Talking of debt forgiveness is just to soften it for the guys who have made money out of using our governemnts as collateral for thier personal gains while in power. Africa needs to establish a leadership accountability court. African needs to take control of its own destiny now.

Finally Africa should stand behind the SADC Protocol on Free and Fair Elections and work to follow principles so that dictators can be reduced.

↑ back to top