New Book: Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa In Search of Alternative Strategies

I am so excited that the edited volume by my Professor Kenneth Omeje, in which I contributed a Chapter on South Sudan has been published by Routledge. I sincerely thank Prof. Omeje who has always trusted me since we first met in 2008. I was his undergraduate student in his Research Methods class. He has since then been my mentor both at the academic and spiritual level. 

My Chapter examines the relapse of South Sudan into armed conflicts and the interest-driven regional rivalries in the country. It contributes to the wider debate of peacebuilding and state building literature in Africa. 

You can order a copy of the book in the link provided. 

The book in general provides a much-need perspective from African scholars and will be of interest to students, researchers, policy makers and practitioners with an interest in promoting legitimate policy interventions and sustainable peace in Africa. 

A tribute to Mandela: A Servant of Humanity

'South Africa has lost its greatest son' those were the words of South African President Jacob Zuma while announcing the passing of Nelson Mandela. Mandela lived and changed the world. A great man and icon of freedom. He served humanity, influenced humanity and taught us the essence of struggle for humanity. His passing reminds us of his enduring legacy of struggle for justice for all, service and dedication. As a young man, Mandela was a great inspiration of our time. His selfless character and enviable reputation of simplicity has shaped and will continue to shape me. As a Tanzanian, he together with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere remain my political role models.

Fare thee well Madiba!

The Westgate Terrorist Attack: Any Lessons for Kenya’s Approach to Regional Security?

My jointly written article was recently published on Kujenga Amani Website. The article analyzes security implications of the region following the Al Shabaab terror siege on Westagate on September 21. For further details see article here.

Continued Power Struggles in South Sudan as President Kiir fires VP & Cabinet

Nicodemus Minde -@decolanga

In what is seen as a deliberate attempt to tame Vice President Riek Machar, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has fired him together with the entire cabinet. The President has also issued an order calling for investigation of the party’s Secretary General, Pagan Amum accusing him of inciting violence and criticizing his actions. Reports say that the president wants to make a 'big reshuffle' of the cabinet, but it is believed that he wants to tame Prof Machar who has indicated his desire to run for the chairmanship of the SPLM party and in turn the presidency in 2015. Riek Machar, who comes from the Nuer community, has enjoyed immense popularity over the years. In April 2013, president Kiir slashed the powers of Machar. SG Pagan Amium comes from the Shilluk community and historically, there has been ethnic antagonism between the communities of South Sudan. The president is an ethnic Dinka, which is South Sudan's largest community. 

The decree by the president signifies the power struggle undertones that have been going on for a long period now. The president's move exposes the schisms within the government and the SPLM party which could boil down to the army which is believed to be beyond the control of the president. With the country still in a precarious and fragile state, the dismissal of the VP and cabinet will further destabilize the two year old nation. The country still faces many challenges associated with national building (See my analysis on this here). With insistent power struggles and divisions within the government, South Sudan risks to fall into civil struggle which could take a tribal angle. Vice President Machar was at the fore front in the negotiations with Khartoum over a number of outstanding issues. It remains to be seen how his sacking will affect the ongoing negotiations.    

Membe speaks on China-Africa Relations

Via The Citizen

Tanzania's Foreign Affairs minister Bernard Membe has downplayed criticism from Western countries over China-Africa relations. Mr Membe, who was speaking on Monday at the opening of a forum on China-Africa relations at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), noted that some western media and their countries were criticising relations between the continent and the Asian country. The forum, with the theme: “Chinese Dream, African Dream: Achieving Common Development Through Joint Efforts,” was meant to brainstorm on how the two parties could mutually benefit from their relations.

The West has been arguing that African countries would not benefit from the relations because China was not considering promotion of human rights and democracy on the continent. However, Mr Membe reiterated that China-Africa relations provided several benefits to the continent, giving an example of the construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railway (Tazara). The railway had been playing a very crucial economic role not only for Tanzania but also for some landlocked countries on the continent.
  

Mr Lu  Shaye, the director for African Affairs Department in the Chinese ministry of Foreign Affairs, who attended the event, said development and prosperity were a common aspiration and historical mission of China and Africa. Lu told the two-day conference that China and Africa shared dreams of peace, development, independent efforts and rejuvenation.

“These dreams are ahead of us. The path is under our feet. We must make earnest and hard efforts to realize them,” he said.

The Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Lu Youqing, said: “We all know about the ‘American Dream’...yet it is not enough to have only the American Dream. There should be a Chinese Dream and an African Dream as well.” The Chinese envoy said both China and Africa were developing economies and shared wide common interests.

He said during the long historic period of struggle for national independence in the pursuit of development and national revival, China and Africa have always been a “community of shared destinies through bad and good times.”

Still many challenges as South Sudan marks two years of independence

Nicodemus Minde @decolanga

South Sudan today marks two years of independence. The euphoria that was witnessed on the 9th July, 2011 has died and the people of South Sudan today grapple with the harsh reality that comes with peace and state-building. The optimism that characterized South Sudanese has now been replaced with angst and desperation. The country faces numerous challenges such as poor infrastructure, illiteracy, extreme poverty, lack of basic health and educational facilities amongst many. The legacy of boundary conflict with the North continues to be a big challenge. Internal inter-ethnic conflicts brought about by a culture of cattle rustling sees the country at a very delicate situation. The situation has been worsened by poor leadership, ethnicity and corruption. The one party rule strangles democracy and dissidents are sacked and expelled from government arbitrarily. With the shutting of oil production as a result of the continued antagonism with Khartoum is crippling the economy that 98.1% depends on oil. Power struggles within SPLM has seen the Deputy President Riak Machar being stripped some of his powers by President Salva Kiir. The nascent country faces a lot of challenges despite it only being two years old. The lack of political will and corruption threatens to further slow down progress. The leadership of South Sudan needs to do a cross examination of its will and map a clear policy based approach that will steer the country to greater height. I wrote last year that South Sudan needs quality and selfless leadership in order to develop. This is inevitable as long as the country wants to avoid the mistakes made by other African states. 

See: South Sudan's race against time 

See also: South Sudan: 'Independence is not as beautiful as we thought'

I have been doing a research on Peace and State-building in South Sudan for the past six month.      

Africa should embrace the Failed States Index and 'Move on'

Nicodemus Minde

The Foreign Policy Magazine has published the list of the "Failed States Index" which is prepared by the Washington-based think-tank, Fund for Peace. In a heading "Postcards from Hell", FP Magazine gives a pictorial chronology of the 54 "most failed states" in the world. Living on the edge in the world's worst places in the world was the subtitle of the pictorials. The failed state index has not been received well especially in Africa. Many African political commentators have rubbished this index, with some terming it another neo-colonial concept of disregarding African states. The failed state index, just like many other statistical indices, has used scientific statistical indicators to produce a ranking of 178 countries. The FSI focuses on the indicators of risk and is based on thousands of articles and reports that are processed by a CAST Software from electronically available sources. A number of crucial factors were used to draw up this list. Risks such as instability, insecurity, undemocratic elections were used amongst other indicators like infant mortality rates, literacy levels, availability of essential services such as education, health etc. 

The FSI just like many other statistical indices, is far from 100% accuracy, but the indicators used are worldwide accepted as factors of development and growth. Critics have however questioned the measurability of instability. They argue you can scientifically measure stability. Such detractors fail to understand that the indicators to this indices are numerically accounted for using modern statistical software that numerically determines the percentage and thus rank. I know some of these indices are based on perception, and could be biased to some extent. Detractors or rather "denialist" only look at the geographical outlook as presented by these data and say that it is another Western ploy to demean and profile the global south and more so African states. 

For African countries to successfully transform her economies, they need to accept some of these factual analysis and take them as reference points for planning for success. I believe in Africa and see the continent as the next frontier or as the Americans would love to say "The African Century". African countries still grapple with instability, institutional weakness, political fissures, ethnicity, resource conflicts, dictatorships, poor infrastructure, corruption and graft, greediness from political leaders, illiteracy and many other ailments. Of the ten most failed states in the world, according to the 2013 figures, seven are African, of the fifty most failed states, 32 are African. This is not surprising to me. Few African countries are realizing that they should not mourn over this figures but are making effects to remedy the shame. 

Africa needs to get it leadership and governance right. One African country still has a president who came to power when Jimmy Carter was US President. What will this type of leader offer that he hasn't offered for thirty years. Africa still has leaders who are dreaming of changing the constitution to run again for president and when they lose, they rig the vote and run the country with impunity. This is Africa! Africa should embrace the FSI data and remedy the appalling state of affairs.

Country Profile: Ivory Coast

http://t.co/GupWPHhD7O

Restructuring Tanzanian Constitution: Why a Decentralized System is best

The oldest constitutions in the world were framed in the 17th century and have been described as revolutionary pacts because they ushered in new political systems. After decades of a permeable and loosely constructed constitution, Tanzania is now in the process of drafting a supreme law that will address and map the future of Tanzania. The Constitutional Review Commission under the chairmanship of retired judge Joseph Warioba is now in the stages of creating constitutional councils (mabaraza ya katiba). The 1977 constitution was born after the political union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The law, as Issa Shivji puts it, derived its legal authority from the Articles of the Union. The process meant that Zanzibar lost its autonomy and was succeeded by Tanzania. International law, under the topic of state succession will best explain the 'dissolution' of Zanzibar and how its autonomy was swallowed by mainland Tanzania. This is a sensitive topic, which has elicited sharp reactions from Tanzania Zanzibar politicians. 

The ascension of the 1977 constitution, declared by virtue of law, the supremacy of single party dictatorship in Tanzania under the CCM banner. I don't intend to delve into the ramifications thereof of a single party rule. Of crucial importance today shall be the decentralization form of government through a contextual analysis of Tanzania. 

Tanzania has been operating as a loosely conceptualized unitary state. There is a union parliament, house of representative in Zanzibar, a union president and the president of Zanzibar. Zanzibar MPs have always called for more autonomy of the isle. Bickering over the 'state' of Zanzibar have become a norm. In addressing the dissatisfaction of Zanzibar on the degree of autonomy, a decentralized form of government can best deal with this.

Decentralization is a mechanism that disperses authority from the central government to other institutions or levels of government, and as such it becomes one solution to many problems that arise over dissatisfaction by constituent members. Decentralization can involve assigning sub-national levels of government elements of 'self-rule' by which they obtain the authority to regulate and/or run certain functions or services on their own such as healthcare, primary education and can also include the establishing of a system of shared rule, allowing sub-national entities to be involved in national rule making, often through delegation of duties. The object of decentralization remains devolution of services, and creating national unity within a polity. 

A decentralized form of government will see more economic development through federal state, regional or county based government. Services shall be devolved to local constituents, meaning that the management of these basic necessities will be at the plate of local government. Appeasing Zanzibar can best be done through sub-national devolution where these units are given autonomy as constituent entities of a territory. With over 26 regions, Tanzania can best serve the needs of the now 45 million people better through a well structured devolved system of government. The positive effects of decentralization of power are among many; the limitation of authoritarianism at national level brought about by dictatorial political parties and individuals, increasing responsiveness to the needs and preference of the people, encouraging positive, active approaches to government and policy development. For a country that is well blessed with resources, good climate, tourism (just to mention a few), Tanzania;s form of decentralization can be a model for prosperity. Though, negative aspects can crop such as harmful competition among regions, deficiency in human and financial resources, a proper law and good leadership can instigate progress. The depth of decentralization can go as far as judicial/legal devolution, revenue devolution, fiscal devolution among others. A constitutional edifice that champions this will no doubt bring prosperity.

Rest in Peace Chinua Achebe, the doyen of African Literature

I have learned of the passing of the great African literature guru, Chinua Achebe. I remember Chinua Achebe for his classic novels of "A Man of the People", "Things Fall Apart", "Arrow of God", "Anthills of Savannah", "No longer at ease". I have had the privilege of reading a couple of his books. Chinua Achebe was the doyen of African literature. Achebe is man who achieved a lot during his early years of academic life. As my professor puts it, "it was not for his excellence that he achieved all success". My professor quickly reminds me of how Achebe got a third degree honors in his class. He was not the brightest in his class. He was fortunate to have written these books at a time when the world was dominated by Western literature. A new wave of African literature beckoned with his works. There is no doubt, the works by Achebe lit up the African narrative of African literature. He wrote on the role of culture in Africa and the social and political significance of aesthetics and analysis of the postcolonial state in Africa. His works, especially, "Things fall Apart" became the blueprint of literature scholarship in Africa. 

I recently read his book on the "Trouble with Nigeria"(1983). This book examined what Achebe terms as the 'failure of leadership'. This inspiring book aimed to challenge the resignation of Nigerians and inspire them to reject old habits which inhibit Nigeria from becoming a modern and attractive country.The insights of the book were not only relevant to Nigeria as a case point but to the continent as a whole. The failure of leadership coupled with rampant corruption, ethnicity, nepotism, anarchy etc have all plagued the continent. In a recent discussion with my friends, we thought Achebe could have rewritten the book to capture the continental baggage of the above mentioned vices, which have sadly not changed. Rest well Chinua Achebe. The world celebrates you.

Zimbabwe vote in a crucial constitutional referendum

@decolanga: Zimbabweans to vote in a constitutional referendum http://po.st/lTgHZB. #Zimbabwe #Africa Shared via TweetCaster

The Trouble with Tanzania

Introduction

I am not wise enough to point out the trouble with Tanzania, neither am I old enough to even understand the complexity of Tanzanian history to state the trouble of Tanzania. Literature guru Chinua Achebe wrote the short précis of The Trouble with Nigeria in 1983 to explain the troubles that plagued the country ranging from vices of corruption, tribalism, the cult of mediocrity, indiscipline among others. A critical analysis of the 67 paged book by Achebe can be juxtaposed with the general trouble of the politics of the African societies. The failure of leadership was the underlying theme of the book that explained the demagoguery of Nigerian leadership which can narrate the other troubles that ail the country.

“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate of water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”  

The trouble in Nigeria as explained by Achebe is synonymous to the African political setting. As pointed out earlier, I am not wise or old enough to state the trouble with Tanzania, but I will try to place myself into the Tanzanian political and societal setting to explain what could be wrong with us. There is nothing wrong with the Tanzanian lad or climate or air. On the contrary, Tanzania is a blessed country in many fronts. Tanzania is the land of Kilimanjaro, the land of the great Serengeti; the land of Zanzibar, the land of Lake Tanganyika. Tanzania is blessed with abundant natural resources, good climate and weather. The people of Tanzania are beautiful and hospitable. Tanzania is the cradle of civilization. The Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important pale-anthropological sites in the world and has been instrumental in furthering the understanding of early human evolution. Tanzania is the home of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere; the great thinker of African Socialism as explained by the Ujamaa philosophy. 

There is nothing basically wrong with Tanzania as was conceived after the political merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964. Tanzania’s problem is as Achebe explained a failure of leadership. This failure has resulted in a myriad of other troubles that I will try to explain in a series format.

Cowardice

William Shakespeare once said “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”

................Continues tomorrow.      

Political and Election Processes are about you!

Nicodemus Minde

Politics is critical ingredient of human society. Politics is the embodiment of human civilization and social progress. A polity can be a small association of human society such as the nuclear family, the extended family, the church, the workers unions and so on. Politics starts from such small associations to larger national politics. Political Science is the discipline that studies the nature of politics, the origins of political and human civilizations, political systems, and constitutional orders and so on. Political processes have been known world over as beacons for democratic transitions, constitutionalism, and the observance of the rule of law. But politics and political processes do more than steering the polity to ideals of good governance and democracy. 

A political process which is a lifelong exercise is a constant reminder to what has been done, what is been done and what should be done to steer economic and political prosperity. Election time is also an important phase in political systems. The election process which in developed democracies is a constitutional right is a time for reflection. A time to take stock of what the state has hitherto done in terms of uplifting the standards of its people. It is a time for the people to seat and reflect on their leaders, a time for the leaders to personally reflect on the successes thus far. 

Elections should not be taken as a time when politicians give promises. Elections should not be about the leaders. Elections are a national phase for reflection. It is a time when a people are reminded of their sovereignty. It is a time when people are filled with hope and expectation that they are integral proponents in the development of their country. And it is through this that they can resolve to determine their future by voting for leaders with their aspirations and not leaders with personal ambitions.   

The metamorphism of Political Parties in Africa: From Freedom Parties to Coalition Building

Political parties are an important vehicle for attaining political power. They are a crucial pillar for engineering democratic ideals and social progress in any polity. Historically, political parties have been associated with community mobilization with the aim of either advancing policy issues or addressing forms of inequality and to seek for inclusivity through popular will and representation. Political parties have echoed the voices of the voiceless, the poor, and the marginalized and more so, political parties have been used as avenues for social and political inclusion of the suppressed. Political science as a field has the discourse of political parties and association as one of its core areas of studies. Political parties have been used to pool together, to drive agendas, to call for respect of human rights, and as a form of a centralized platform to discuss national issues.

If there was anyone who was a student of political parties and wrote extensively about them, it was Lenin. Vladimir Lenin, the one-time ruler of the now defunct USSR dissected the theories and discourse of political parties many from the standpoint of class systems. As the great Kenyan scholar Anyang’ Nyong’o posits in his analysis of political parties: you cannot be a student of political parties without studying Lenin. A critical look at political parties, properly so called is the outcome or the offshoots of the Industrial Revolution. It was as a result of the decline of feudalism and the division of society into social classes under capitalism, that political parties emerged as major proponents in the political spheres. The dynamics of their formation cuts across many political systems from Germany, France, China and to the post-colonial societies.

My focus is the conceptualization of political parties in Africa. The evolution of political parties in Africa was an aggregation of social forces for the struggle for political independence. Though the formation of parties can be traced deeper than the aggregate demands for social inclusiveness, it should be noted that parties in Africa were mainly formed under the auspices for advancing community interest first. this notwithstanding, the parties later gained national outlook driven by the common denominator for political independence. They became avenues for seeking political freedoms. However, after the attainment of political kingdom as Kwame Nkrumah once put it, the freedom parties were used as mechanism for solidification of power. Multi partism was discouraged on grounds that it could polarize the society. 

The fall of the Berlin wall and the end to the Cold War witnessed the triumph of western democracy. A new world order as conceived by George Bush Sr. arose. Not to be left behind, Africa had to adapt to the new order and multi-party democracy sprang up. 

Multi-party democracy in fragile states can prove to be catastrophic. African countries have not yet matured to become democratic nations that respect the dictates and tenets of democracy that include aspects such as good governance, rule of law, human rights protection and promotion, inclusivity. It is still at a very elementary stage. Political parties are a crucial pillar for upholding these tenets. Africa is now witnessing a new conceptualization of political parties. Parties in Africa are now undergoing a political metamorphisis where parties are forming coalitions either before or after election. Post-election coalitions are as a result of competitive elections that hit an impasse and coalitions become necessary. We are now seeing a new dynamic of coalitions. Political parties are forming pre-election pacts so as to consolidate their strengths by pooling together. 

Despite all this, political parties should make sure they are driven by a vision and mission. This has to do with the ideology or what the party stands for in terms of substantial beliefs, methods of propelling the country to economic prosperity, provision of social services and so on. The parties should also adhere to globally accepted norms of representation in terms of gender, youth, agenda and policy formulation.