In the so-called Third World countries, especially those of Africa, it has become a tradition for the defeated in elections to cry foul, and rush to the streets to protest, no matter the degree of fairness and transparency acknowledged by national and international election observers. In this scenario, opposition parties cry loudest, instigate protests, and attract foreign sympathizers who rush in, ignore the legitimate rights of citizens, and cooperate with the rebellious factions to kill and destroy property, often for selfish reasons.
Genuine democratic practice forbids this miscarriage of justice. For, as Abraham Lincoln put it in 1856, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet”. But what a surprise that at this time when our global village is deeply concerned about the New Millennium Development Goals with a focus on their attainment by 2015, much is being lost in the name of democracy and liberation wars!
Lovers of peace, political stability, and development detest elections in which citizens are not given opportunities to freely elect their leaders and other representatives in assemblies. They also denounce the violent ousting of unpopular leaders who ought to be relieved of their powers through the ballot. But to create a scenario that enables African governments to boost their democratic practice, governments should be encouraged to facilitate massive registration for electoral participation. This civic responsibility is fully effected when citizens stream to the polls and freely decide who should govern them.
The Cameroon government, in respect of this norm of democratic governance has brought down the cost of processing the National Identification Card from 6,000frs to 2,800frs, for all citizens irrespective of their political leanings, but surprisingly detractors have a different story for their audiences. Their intoxication stems from unpatriotic tendencies, disregard for the power of the ballot, and post electoral skirmishes that betray our political maturity, besides sending thousands of innocent citizens to untimely graves.
Africans, their true friends ought to know, (we are happy some do) have succumbed to a chapter of accidents which range from the slave trade, and colonization to, neocolonialism and today’s democratisation nightmares. But, it is possible to redress the uncomfortable trends. This demands not only fruitful cooperation, but also genuine interventions which ensure solidarity, peace, and democratic practice, without which effective globalization and progress can be relegated to wishful thinking.