Is democracy un-African? A historical and logical rebutall to Obasanjo, by Ikanke Ibia
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently claimed that democracy is “un-African” and suggested that Africa must create its own governance model. This statement raises an important question: Is democracy truly alien to African societies? Are Africans inherently incapable of democratic governance? A deeper look at history and political philosophy tells a different story.
DEMOCRACY IS MORE THAN ELECTIONS
Before diving into historical examples, let’s clarify a crucial point: democracy is not just about elections, thumb-printing ballots, or representative politics. Democracy is an attitude, a set of principles and values that shape governance—values such as accountability, participation, consensus-building, and the limitation of power. By these standards, pre-colonial Africa had many political systems that were, in some ways, even more democratic than the European states that later colonized them.
- Consensus-Based Governance:
Many African societies operated through deliberation and consensus rather than absolute rule.
- Igbo (Ala Igbo, Nigeria): The Igbo people had no centralized king but were ruled by councils of elders, age-grade associations, and village assemblies. Decisions were made collectively, ensuring broad participation.
- San and Khoisan (Southern Africa): Leadership was fluid, and all adults had a voice in open discussions.
In contrast, at the time, European states such as Britain, France, and Spain were ruled by absolute monarchs who wielded unchecked power over their subjects.
- Checks on Rulers’ Power:
Unlike European monarchs, who often ruled without accountability, many African rulers were frequently held in check by advisory councils and the people.
- Oyo Empire (Yoruba, Nigeria): The Alaafin (king) was advised by the Oyo Mesi, a council of chiefs who could remove him if he became tyrannical.
- Mali Empire: The Mansa (emperor) was expected to rule justly, following principles outlined in the Kurukan Fuga Charter, an early constitutional document that promoted human rights.
Meanwhile, European rulers like Louis XIV of France or the Tsars of Russia governed with absolute authority and little regard for popular opinion.
- Community-Driven Justice Systems:
Many African societies embraced participatory justice systems, where disputes were resolved through mediation rather than severe punishment.
- Gacaca Courts (Rwanda): Traditional courts where community members judged cases and sought reconciliation instead of retribution.
- Kgotla System (Botswana): Chiefs held open forums where all members of society, regardless of status, could speak and influence decisions.
By contrast, European justice systems were top-down and punitive, often sentencing people to death for minor offenses.
- Women’s Political Participation:
Many African societies allowed women to hold significant political power, a rarity in pre-modern Europe.
- Igbo and Yoruba Women (Nigeria): Women played major roles in governance, such as the Umuada (daughters’ council) and the Iyaloja (market women’s leader).
- Dahomey (Benin Republic): Women served as military leaders and advisors, most famously in the Amazons of Dahomey regiment.
In contrast, European women were largely excluded from political participation until the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Communal Land Ownership vs. Feudal Oppression:
While feudal Europe was characterized by lords controlling land and keeping peasants in servitude, many African societies practiced communal land ownership, ensuring more economic equality. This system prevented wealth from being concentrated in the hands of a few elites, unlike in feudal Europe, where the majority of people had little economic freedom.
THE FALLACY OF “DEMOCRACY IS UN-AFRICAN”
Obasanjo’s claim ignores historical facts. Every society, including Africa and Europe, has experienced totalitarian governance at some point. Japan, for example, was ruled by the samurai military class for centuries before transitioning to a successful democracy through the Meiji Restoration. If Japan could evolve into one of the most effective democracies in the world, why can’t Africa?
THE REAL PROBLEM: MISUNDERSTANDING DEMOCRACY
The failure of modern African democracies is not because democracy is foreign to us—it’s because we have reduced it to periodic elections without understanding its deeper principles. True democracy thrives on:
- Property rights
- Decentralisation and Locality governance
- A free-market economy
- Strong institutions
- Accountability
Many African countries lack these foundational elements, making democracy fragile. Our focus should not be on rejecting democracy but on refining it, ensuring it aligns with our historical values of consensus, accountability, and inclusivity.
OBASANJO’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Ironically, Obasanjo had the power to strengthen democracy in Nigeria through constitutional restructuring but failed to do so. Only after leaving office did he start advocating for it. If leaders like him had taken bold steps when in power, Nigeria might have developed a more robust, homegrown democratic system by now.
CONCLUSION: A CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RESTRUCTURING Conclusion:
Obasanjo is wrong—democracy is not un-African. Our traditional governance systems were deeply democratic in ways that European states were not. However, to make democracy work in modern Africa, we must restructure our constitution, embrace our historical governance strengths, and implement democracy in a way that resonates with African realities. This does not mean reinventing the wheel but learning from societies that have successfully navigated similar transitions. Democracy is ours—it always has been. The real question is: when will we truly embrace it?
Furthermore, while the current constitutional restructuring bills in the National Assembly are commendable, they fail to address fundamental areas that would deepen democracy in Nigeria. Without tackling critical issues such as locality governance autonomy, resource control and property rights, and electoral reforms, these efforts will remain superficial. True democracy requires more than incremental changes—it demands bold, structural reforms that align with both our historical governance traditions and modern realities.
