Rebirth: Poverty in the African Kingdom

Happy birthday. As we commemorate 50 years of the African Union we should also evaluate how we have survived in the years. It will be justified to be happy on this day if happiness is what we have sought for and achieved through the years. I know I might be wrong in my logic, but lets assume this logic is undisputed. An Africa independent, self functioning economically and politically is what they foresaw. Are we there yet after 50 years of an idea and a dream? Let us look at politics.

I am right in my conclusion that we are still running the politics of the 20th century, the politics of the 1980′s to be precise. It is not as beautiful as it sounds. The leadership has managed to drive us into the worst of economic positions since its installment.

Most of the leaders are still in power and are still holding onto it despite the undeniable fact of old age. These countries claim the brand democracy as part of their standing. I hate asking the wrong questions, so I am going to ask “How have they been able to stay in power for so long? Are they so loved that the people think these should be their leaders for over 40 years?” I hope to answer later.

Dambisa Moyo, a renowned Zambian economist said in her book Dead Aid that Africa is going to house 75% of the worlds poor in 2050 and we have doubled our poverty rates. She also explicitly sates that Africa was doing twice better economically in the 1980′s than what it is doing right now. She says that aid from the west is the problem to all this downfall.

I remember being told in a history class that in the 1980′s Kenya’s economy was, in our language today, an emerging super power. I agree with Moyo and as much as she blames aid I blame the leadership. This is not a blame game, however, it is all about the truth and so we shall be free.

The following list substantiates my claims;

1. Teodoro Obiang- President of Equatorial Guinea since 1979 to present(age 70)
2. Denis Sassou Nguesso – President of Congo from 1979-1992 again from 1997 to present (age 69)
3. Paul Biya – President of Cameroon since 1982 to present (age 80)
4. Jose Eduardo dos Santos – President of Angola since 1979 to present (age 70)
5. Blaise Compaore – President of Burkina Faso since 1987 to present (age 62)
6. Idriss Derby – President of Chad since 1990 to present ( age 61)
7. Robert Mugabe – President of Zimbabwe since 1987 to present (age 89)
8. Yoweri Museveni – President of Uganda since 1986 to present (age 69)

This is just a small list of a continent with over 45 nation states, the list is actually longer. I agree that different states have their own ways of ruling and have different interpretation of the rule of law and of democracy. I also implore you to look at this list in the light that I have not presented to you the economic outlook of the commanders of the listed countries.

The facts show that we are still playing by the same old rules in a world that is changing. Our leaders are worn out and those of the old, we need fresh blood to govern us into a future that they will be physically present in at least. The politics of the old are dirty, full of bad deals and there is the dire need for rebirth. We need to imbibe laws that govern our people better, eliminates poverty and makes each and every citizen prosper.

If this is out of our grasp we desire, at least, a happy birthday and many more to look forward to. In order for Africa to improve, we need to change the way we are governed.

by Dennis Kariuki

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