Africa and the Unbridled Power of States

Author: Abdulwahab Jemil Lanre

The continent Africa, containing the Maghreb and the sub-Saharan states like other continents of the world,  practices different systems of government, ranging from Republic, Constitutional monarchy, and even some with currently no constitutionally defined basis for their system of government. Countries like Libya, Sudan, and Mali have in power currently government that cannot conveniently be classified into any generally approved system of government. One would not have expected anything lesser than a tranquil environment since the various systems of government provide generally fair laws, which, to a reasonable extent, is expected to create a balance in the society. Just like the popular saying goes, where there is no law, there is no crime. Such laws are as well opened to reforms when the need arises. This, however, is not the case in many African states as records and current events have revealed the deception in the discharge of the duties of our leaders and the implementation of these laws.

In addition to these constituted laws created by the system, it is important to note that as humans, we have the fundamental laws of humanity, which without being told, one should know the things to do to others and vice-versa. The general overview of these fundamental laws is that the things you would not appreciate people doing to you are exactly what you should not do to others. If in states where these laws exist ( the constitutionally created laws and the laws of humanity), we still have people yearning for justice, people both young and old crying for a better living, and in the same society, we have 'high class' people getting away with crimes. Then, it is not an exaggeration when we say justice has been long lost in Africa.

Civil rights are often enshrined in every constituted law; the laws apply to all citizens and must not be overruled. Human rights violations have been the order of the day in most African states. Amnesty International for the year 2019 reported that; in Zimbabwe, at least 22 human rights defenders, activists, civil society, and opposition leaders were charged by the police for their suspected roles in organizing peaceful fuel price protests.  At the will of the 'authorities,' people's everyday lives could be obstructed for unjustifiable reasons, and any attempt to question such unspeakable acts could aggravate the already precarious situation. The oppressed never get justice in Africa. Manipulation of laws to favour the elites is a norm in our society. The rights of citizens slipped into the mud in the face of the existing laws only because they are seen as minor players in the society, or perhaps they do not belong to the circle of the influential people referred to as 'leaders,' who in the real sense are OPPRESSORS. These violations and manipulation of human rights have made people live in their lands like strangers. It is, therefore, bewildering when Africans live comfortably in foreign lands, a comfort that has proven to be a mirage in their native land. The reason is not far fetched; living in a sane society that respects human rights and hardly manipulates justice is far better than living in your land where the simplest of laws are not obeyed.

Another point worthy of note is the states' excess power in resource control, especially the central powers. This alienates the common man in the society. With too much power concentrated in the centre, the tier of government closest to the people is unable to take far-reaching decisions that will improve the welfare of citizens. Joblessness among the ever-increasing youth population is on the rise. For instance, a report by the National Bureau of Statistics in Nigeria shows that 13.9 million of the youths who make over 50 percent of Nigeria's entire population are jobless. Alarming right? It is then not surprising that the crime rate keeps increasing daily, ranging from Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry and kidnappings in the Northwest to cybercrime and ritual killings in the South, to mention a few. Amnesty International reported protracted conflicts in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republican of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan continued to simmer, with indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians. Armed groups in Cameroon, Mali, Somalia, and elsewhere committed abuses, including killings and abduction, which caused mass displacement. These could be attributed to how children have hitherto been raised without educational and vocational skills or any form of legal handiwork that would make them responsible members of the society at adulthood. It is also not different now, as UNICEF's report has it that one out of every five out-of-school children in the world is in Nigeria. A society that wants peace should always keep it in mind that equipping young children with education and/or vocational skill is sacrosanct and non-negotiable.

When was the last time you reel a SKIT? 

All of these will not easily be achieved with the excess power given to government officials at all levels. The juicy pay of our politicians is practically insane. This has, for long, destroyed the social pyramid. The society is now made up of mainly two classes of people, which are the extremely rich individuals and the extremely poor ones. The middle class has been systematically phased out. Politicians siphon the state's common wealth to enrich themselves, use power and discretion to cripple the public institutions and make the masses live at their mercy. I say this with no apologies as records are available to back up these claims.

It is, therefore, no doubt that these acts of insincerity of the government to its citizens have long fuelled bitterness and rage among citizens. This frustration at times makes the masses engage in unspeakable acts. An instance is the recent looting that happened in most states in Nigeria, which resulted from what was meant to be a peaceful protest against police brutality. Government warehouses, private stores, and residents of politicians, to mention a few, were looted by citizens. However, poverty and anger are not justifications for people to steal, but it is important to highlight this as it is the primary source that birthed the looting.

To sum it up, it is important and as a matter of urgency for African states to revisit their constitution and amend every part that needs urgent amendments to create the kind of balance we all yearn for. If done with sincerity like we hoped for, the referendum held in Algeria recently for a change in their constitution and the style of governance is a good way to start. All independent institutions should be given the constitutional freedom to operate like it is seen in most Western countries. From one African country to the other, our peculiar problems should be addressed in a manner that suits our constitutional beliefs, and only then shall we have a continent of our dreams. We are blacks; we are strong; we are rich; we are blessed. It is high time we lived up to the expectations and dreams of our fore-bearers.