Guinea coup turns back the clock on Africa.
For quite some time the momentum has been building in favor of Africa; reports about strong economic growth throughout the continent, peace efforts and reconciliation after a botched elections in Kenya and so forth.
Also, there have been strong efforts to combat corruption in many nations notably in Nigeria and Cameroon. As a matter of fact, on the economic front, economic growth in sub Saharan Africa, excepting some obvious countries like Zimbabwe, has hovered around 5.5 %, according to reports by both the World Bank and the IMF.
It has been a decade of growth for Africa, Africa analysts say, despite other challenges.
Who is going to argue about this? The proof is in Africa’s pudding, I must say.
Now, here comes a military takeover in Guinea after the death of President Conte was announced. From what I am reading, the coup leaders have extended an invite to neighboring leaders asking for support and for the international community to support their move. As I understand, the people of Guinea are also helpless and can’t do anything to change the current fate of their country.
But the thing that causes concern is what impression this gives the world about Africa and talks about democracy. While Ghana prepares for a presidential runoff this weekend, Guinea is burying someone the world community classifies as a dictator. And while the military have dissolved the country’s constitution, the question remains about past trends in Africa involving the use of force, when democracy does not work, as some would say.
It seems like the paradox and tale of two Africa’s that we know of; one sputtering with reported change, economic growth and another taking steps backwards, for good or worse, towards military rule.
Was the use of force the only solution to Guinea’s problems?
What do you think?
Tags: Democracy