In post-colonial Africa, political rulers aimed at achieving national
integration, unity and development for their peoples. Yet, the experience,
several years after the independence, is at
the same time bitter and thought-provoking. Nationalism has failed to be
the real finality of political power in most African countries and Democracy
itself has still been in the making so much so that African states have the
unfortunate reputation of being bad learners from the Western democratic
experience. The African experience is that of the persistence of tribal, ethnic
or clanic-based considerations over the national interest. This paper aims at
rethinking democracy in Africa in view of suggesting a new form of Democracy
that is compatible with the traditional organisation of our peoples. Only such
a model of government will lead our nations towards Good Governance. Often
decried as being outdated and for discriminating
against women, traditional chieftaincy still plays a major role in Africa. Because of their proximity to the population, traditional leaders have
a strong impact on social cohesion, particularly through traditional mediation. Drawing on the state of governance in Africa,
this paper argues that traditional chieftaincy needs to be reinstated
and that institutions in Africa need to be reinvented in such a way as to
integrate tradition, which is a fertile foundation for peace.
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