Paul Kagame’s third term pursuit and the question of an African democracy

The question of Rwandan Presidency Paul Kagame’s continued rule has been a controversial topic, one which many people seem to look at from different lenses. With some advocating that a continued governance by Kagame is needed to further cement the social and economic development and political stability of Rwanda, critics have conversely pointed out to a faulty democracy, and erosion of civil liberties if Kagame continues as president for his third term. Kagame who turns 60 in October will be contesting for his third term, and he is still seen as a favourite in the next elections.

Some across Africa have argued that democracy is not a one size fits all system, and that a “benevolent dictator” is sometimes needed to go hand in hand with social and economic development. The issue of term limits is a contentious one across Africa. A number of leaders  have stayed in power despite their countries having a constitution that limit them to at most two terms in power. Some of these leaders have changed the respective county’s constitution to extend their stay in power.

The Institute for Security Studies’ Liesl Louw-Vaudran, has argued that “the extension of their term limits by several African leaders has eroded democratic gains. Term limits are a necessary bulwark against abuse of power, especially when electoral systems are weak”.

“Term limits are a necessary bulwark against abuse of power, especially when electoral systems are weak”.

While Louw-Vaudran makes a good case, there are those who argue that in cases where there is tangible social and economic development, is it necessarily a bad thing for leaders to continue governing? A good example is Botswana whose former president, the recently deceased Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire who was in power for 18 years, from 1980 to 1998. Sir Masire is considered the source of Botswana’s prosperity and development, having consolidated the gains achieved during the leadership of Seretse Khama.

Read: A window into democracy in Africa and the world: In conversation with Prof Staffan Lindberg

Many political critics and analysts are quick to point out the growth of Singapore, but also forget to highlight the fact that Lee Kuan Yew spent 30 years in power. Western election observers are quick to point out how democracy should operate in Africa, and as the case may be, in Rwanda. Rwanda’s emergence from a bleak past, to a hopeful future under Kagame might not lead to a perfect nation, but it is a step ten times better. With the majority of Rwandese having voted during the referendum for Kagame to contest for a third term, it’s as good as declaring him winner of the coming elections.

If the definition of democracy must go in accordance with what America or Europe wants, it might as well be good to take note of the fact that the past of many African nations was destroyed by these same countries, and the relationship of these countries to Africa has always been one of the tick to the cow, where resources from African nations are sucked away. It is also worth mentioning that in Germany there is no limit as to office terms of the chancellor.

Read: Dear Africa, presidential term limits is not democracy

Nelson Mandela was once asked by Ken Adelman who was disappointed by Mandela’s model of human rights after Mandela had praised Yasser Arafat and Fidel Castro, if Mandela would want an Arafat or Castro to be the future president of South Africa.

It is also worth mentioning that in Germany there is no limit as to office terms of the chancellor.

Mandela’s apt response was, “one of the mistakes, which some political analysts make is to think that their enemies should be our enemies.” In the same vein, one of the mistakes America and many western countries make is to think that the democracy in Africa should be like their own democracy. Vladimir Putin has been in power for as long as one can imagine, yet the focus is on African leaders. Just the same way many American presidents have invaded sovereign states and killed innocent people, yet none has been taken to the International Criminal Court.

Read: Term-limit changes the biggest threat to democracy in Africa?

Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya was no doubt a more unified and better placed than the current tatters it is now. America and other Western countries came with the narrative of human rights abuses among other things and invaded Libya under the pretext of enforcing the no-fly zone (United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973). The result is staring us in the face. America, France and many other Western countries, I dare say are in no way much better than Africa. Human rights abuses are equally rampant in these countries, but he who makes the laws doesn’t abide by them.

If Jeb Bush had entered power, we would have been convinced that such things only happen in Africa. Or if Trump was an African president the ridicule would have been greater perhaps. The problem with Africa is that we’ve continually gazed at the West and America for direction instead of looking inwards and finding our own solutions to our own unique problems. There is no doubt that we are yet to get to where we are supposed to be, but the belief that the solution to our democracy and development lies outside is a big deceit.

Incidentally, Americans love to talk about presidential approval ratings.

If the Rwandese want Kagame for a third or fourth term because they feel and believe he is doing a good job, it should not be the business of any Western observer to call the shots and tell the Rwandese what to do or not (incidentally, Americans love to talk about presidential approval ratings). Or what number of terms a president should govern. A particular democracy is not a formula applicable to all countries.