Africa: Two Countries Set Examples of Modern Democracy
By George Okore
While a new wave of democracy is being felt all over the African continent, two nations recently made a peaceful return to civilian rule in what will be a model of modern democracy for the rest of the continent.
Despite unprecedented riots and popular uprising in Mediterranean Africa (Libya, Egypt and Tunisia), the situation is different in Sahelian Africa where Niger and Benin set new trends towards democracy and good governance.
Both countries belong to the Communaute des Etats Sahelo-Sahariens (CEN-SAD), region block which started in1 999 and currently has 17 member countries. CEN-SAD is the best of the Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs) - since it transcends linguistic, economical, and geopolitical and social- cultural cleavages.
After the first round of presidential elections in January, Niger’s second and last round on March 12, 2011 has brought peace to a country that has spent over 20 years fighting. The run -off was contested by an ally of the former president and a veteran opposition leader. The people of Niger voted in anew civilian president in a landmark poll that outgoing military Junta has pledged to honour- setting an example of democracy to the rest of Africa.
After Niger, attention shifts to Benin, where the first round of Presidential elections, postponed from February 27 last month, are underway on March 19, 2011. Another presidential election was scheduled to be held in Egypt, but is likely to be postponed due to volatile situation at home. The country is now expected to hold a constitutional referendum before the presidential elections later in the year.
In Niger, veteran opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou won 58 per cent of the presidential run -off to lead the country back to civilian rule. The 59- year- old defeated former Prime Minister Seini Oumarou, 60, who got 42.05 per cent of the votes on Tandja’s party. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the second round of presidential elections as “an important step towards restoring democratic governance” in the West African country.
Issoufou, leader of Social Democratic Party, has been a long time opponent of previous President Mamdou Tandja, jettisoned from office by a military coup in February 2010 after he attempted to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limits. Oumarou is a former ally of President Mamadou Tandja. Issoufou, strengthened his campaigns by forging alliances, especially with Hama Amadou, another former premier under Tandja, who garnered 19 per cent in the first round vote.
In February 2010, renegade soldiers stormed the presidential palace and deposed then President Mamadou Tandja, who had been accused by opposition figures and other anti-democratic practices. A military ruling council subsequently dissolved the Government and suspended a contested constitution that would have allowed Mr. Tandja to remain in power beyond the stipulated term.
Niger's military junta under General Salou Djibo has proved to be a democrat by fulfilling their pledge to usher in a civilian government after it took power last year to end a crisis triggered by Tandja's attempts to extend his mandate. No junta member ran in the election and has pledged to step down by end of April.
In Benin, the first round of presidential elections was peaceful and orderly. The patience and civic responsibility of Benin people have set positive example. The country exemplarily organized the presidential polls without major incidents, despite significant challenges related to introduction of a new electronic voter registration system.
President Boni Yayi, 58, who was first elected in 2006, won the first round against 12 opposition candidates in his bid for a second term. His top rival opposition leader Adrien Houngbedji is disputing the Sunday’s results, risking tensions after a vote that was previously postponed twice. The opposition leader, 69, who is backed by several traditional political elites in the country, contested his fifth presidential election. He says hundreds of thousands of people were left off the list despite a last-minute registration drive.
Benin is viewed as a rare example of democracy in a region better known for coups. However, analysts aver that consolidating gains made since the restoration of democracy in Benin in 1990 will require all political leaders to place the nation’s highest interests first.