Debate: Is Africa Re-inventing Democracy?

Watch a debate about democracies in Africa hosted by the BBC's Alex Jakana.

[@JPlaceCrooner]

I love *sarcastically* how we've been reduced to measuring ourselves up against European achievements and ignoring the fact that our states were destroyed by the same Europeans. The Igbo people's Aro Confederacy society had a decent model for strong local control that could balance the power of the head of state to ensure that your country's leader could not trample over the rights of the people. Why isn't this one of our models instead of the Magna Carta?

[@amanberak7848]

Blame others again ....we a pussy continent

[@allanaringo]

Very well said. Somehow Africa still remains a country to many people, and its a good country if those African citizens do things that resemble what ''europeans' (minus Russia of course) wish and say

[@davidhutchinson4242]

😅

[@chimakalu41]

Well said. Ohafia representing.🇳🇬.

[@DickensBlessingMedia]

It gives me joy seeing Africans come together for a greater cause. Our posterity will indeed remember this interview. I also must say that I happen to belong to the party that believes that Africa craves an alternative governing form instead of democracy. We simply have to construct our own panacea for our own issues.

[@beanstalk_the_boom]

if there is anyone out there that is readings this we also need Africa to invest lot of attention in their scientist, to simultaneously advance there technology era.

[@FightCollective]

+Alloy Jack They already have access to modern technology. Their technological era is advanced as it is here in the UK. Applying that technology to every day life and having access to technology is the problem.

[@beanstalk_the_boom]

k

[@charlescyklop1679]

It shall stay there, we in due to help them without the issue without the interest, as you do not understand their scientists, let them life and they let you life having the felling to know the scientists, stop sucking them and get more respect for people. otherwise everything got no end. you maybe get combination of biology which you do not control of environment of your weather, you wish become to over control - you will not stop it as they know what they fighting for from centuries - do not get involved only help them from heart. Not from pocket - if you afford ofcourse

[@africanyouthinventions3382]

you are right, African always wait out of the continent effort. less money are invested into our youth initiation

[@kelvinnaholo8234]

Very interesting facilitator in the name of Alex Jakana. The problem of Africa is not the old men but greed. Young and old people in the enclaves of power in Africa are some of the greediest. Age is not the problem, disrespecting term limits is.

[@coleemmersonhallman5329]

Each one of them made a great point at some point throughout this video (imo). What a good discussion.

[@jeanregis6767]

i love the first intervention of the Liberian activist. Political participation should definitely equal economic equality. the reality on the ground does line up for there is a huge economic disparity. Unlike the other who is just making theoretical point , she is plunged in the reality. Nice talk though, i love it.

[@petertah]

Interesting discuussions. Seriously, Africa's educational system is limping. There's is a need for the revamping of this and other key sectors like the economy in order to boost it's growth and the ability to be self-sustaining. Above all, the major challenge in Africa is that of leadership. We have leaders in various countries who most of the times are inward thinking and fail to live up to the realities in their countries. We need leaders with a strong will to move the continent forward.

[@sleepygardener5633]

Short answer, No it's recreating the Soviet Union.

[@shivakumarv301]

How should competition and conflict balance each other? Competition when healthy gives prosperity and conflict when on moral grounds gives rise to stability.

[@susannahsimmons]

Hey BBC News! Anyway you could close caption this video?

[@jordanpeele6457]

Why did'nt you invite from east Africa as well?

[@shivakumarv301]

The incapableity to Transit from rural economy to industrial economy is still a challenge when the world is heading toward knowledge worker and economy.

[@tanniclaudette6158]

Democracy doesn't really mean development as to the comments i v read. It works for the West, it works for America while in Africa we had monarchies, with organised institutions until it was modified by the West, through slave trade, and colonization. With independence closer to 60years now in most African countries. The democracy thought was aimed ad diverting our resources to the West were the precolonial institutions no longer works for the good of it's people just for the West.

[@eddieleo911]

You Africans talking without the real knowledge..... African Nations needs to Create its Own political And Educational system......

[@dreday14]

@Eddie Leo, what do you mean by they have no knowledge?

[@Black_pearl_adrift]

@Issay Gebregziabher colonialism has had peft such a huge scar I dont know how Africa will ever be able to be rid of it

[@Black_pearl_adrift]

@Issay Gebregziabher thank you for educating me. I hadn't considered that before.

[@mrhyde7431]

@Persian Lion lol colonization is not the problem, the problem is Africans make poor leaders, they are only interested in lining their pockets with tax payers money, their greed is why Africa is doing so bad, makes my heart bleed how they steal and keep us in poverty

[@creolecajun9988]

Why are outsiders of Africa always trying to unite all of Africa..Africa is not and bever was a country...Its like trying to unite all of South America and make it one country makes no sense.

[@AE-kt4uo]

What about Sudan have more than 60 years without rising

[@SimbaM2kufu]

Democracy my foot

[@chimakalu41]

53:02 that's Chuks from Okwu ID. Represent, man.🇳🇬

[@chimakalu41]

44:37 Outstanding question

[@shivakumarv301]

The smallest political unit is family.

[@chimakalu41]

I'm surprised i'm just finding this now this topic and discussion is 8 years old

[@simonnzioki5679]

I wish that panel were smart enough to understand that Democracy, free trade and undiversified population is not perfect and good for Africa's future

[@makkenarambabu2]

good to see this kind of initiation from African countries for democracy

[@heaty007]

ram oh please. This is all bullshit.

[@shivakumarv301]

The bedrock of democracy is respect for instituions of sociology like marriage, family'and education

[@justinaadk5081]

The host was very interruptive, it was quite annoying not to hear the speakers finish their points because he was either trying to finish their point, make assumptions, or to forcefully give his own opinion.

[@Dlaba1973]

❤❤❤❤Miss Liberia ❤❤❤❤

[@Theo-eq3ei]

If the people will vote for who they want age aside. To tell someone they should step aside because of their age is undemocratic.

[@hubreydavid7864]

The African continent needs a social network with all those resources just can't end up in private ownership it should be used to Educate the African communities and free medical for all.

[@chimakalu41]

1:23, 11:58 🇬🇭 representing

[@charlescyklop1679]

For everyone to reading that text: Africa needs a help not a deal. Help means to sacrifice from people in money sense which is not much in compare for everything what is happening. That be enough if one person stop be scared to give them real, everlast "coin", not to bother much. Just let them know as they are loved and respected. Who wants be bothered by military if there is enough already ? If they come they become same as others and bring it home :( The wage is fine ?> think about what was wasted by -

[@shivakumarv301]

Is harsh truth of life static snd nothing can be done about it ?

[@muuseshire4234]

Good discussion it foucus on democracy

[@shivakumarv301]

Do parents try to talk to kids and find what happened with in their school and other things?

[@chimakalu41]

0:07 moderator is 🇰🇪 or 🇸🇴? I cannot confirm from the name.34:29 oh wow he is Ugandan.🇺🇬 representing.

[@Awliyoxasan]

Hi Alex Jakana I have been gr eaten many years I listen your voice in BBC but today seen your face you look like Somali people I interested your debate

[@khanjanki8207]

I will keep myself not to die till l see african motherland qoncor thats my wish and even the one who build the earth and even knows what my heart is seeing thanks for all whos watching ist sad amen

[@shivakumarv301]

Is Singapore economic growth based on resources or ideas?

[@bahmubah8661]

In my opinion : building Democracy and development in Africa, We should observe Our youths from primary school to Uni . how the boy love peace .how he is in respecting people and himself. How he respect people's right and thats n't only from primary even from hight school to Uni it can be possible,We take that graduated from the Uni to the army to secure Us with our properties,Our continent , Our law , nation and president. Those w'll refuse shooting Us and secure the president Who's looking for division to rest on power . They w'll secure Our rich people with their Companies so the economy and everything will go over and over for ever . God bless Africa ,and the Africans ameen

[@peacheskong2245]

Not sure I understood well. Do you mind to further explain?

[@shinjiirie6785]

Yes,It's past option.

[@faustinmutabazi2883]

Not only Africa but the entire world. Western countries the so called owners of democracy do not have real democracy but confusing democracy.

[@muuseshire4234]

Someone of people aren't understand means democratic we are need to make awareness our communities the focused on democracy

[@chimakalu41]

1:30 igbo kweenu representing 🇳🇬

[@chimakalu41]

31:18 Okay that was unexpected point she is saying young people Are just as likely as the older people to be less progressive. So it may not come down to just age

[@lizkeith1356]

Unite Africa ! in my humble opinion, Africa, needs to focus on adopting one universal language...? Kiswahili. Please start protecting your resources and make all the international dealings benefit the African people, not others. Educate your people in economics so you can take your economy back and don't let tribalism get in the way of that. Black people must stick together. You need your own scientists, banks, energy production, etc. stop the corruption by choosing black over any other nation. I love how Julius Malema is making so much sense.

[@tonykakumba6587]

its all well and good but the problem is the same western countries that undermine us are the same countries who prevent us from growing. The minute Africans want their land back sanctions will be placed in Africa.

[@lizkeith1356]

@@tonykakumba6587 but if Africa can produce what it needs then sanctions won't hurt. ? Africa deserves way better than what it's getting.

[@henrihoya6349]

The education must be militarily first

[@TheTrill334]

I see the problem and the solution. Because africa started old kingdoms long ago the kings were the pursuit of a god on earth , thus the tribes were forever indebted to the kings. But that old concept of a kingdom was only good until democracy, republics and socialism type governments came to be. I study ancient africa but the glory days of monarchy rule is obsolete in africa because there are a lot of people and 1 king can't provide for 20 -90 million people. The monarchs and sole dictators led the disadvantage for many of african suffering. By adopting a true democracy power is given to the nation and the people are therefore incorporated . When african countries become a true democracy it becomes balanced. Realizing the reluctance of tribal affiliations and traditional customs is old heritage but overwhelmingly millions of Africans have relinquished the old outdated systems. Holding on to old ruling systems was suffocating african development. All over africa Christian and muslim african converts are leading africa to a dictator free africa.

[@kayongohudsons690]

To a lesser extent

[@chimakalu41]

1:52, 9:55 🇱🇷 representing.

[@stephenpheratsetse2703]

An African debate with a lot of European colonial settlers audience who dictates the topical agenda of AFRICANS.

[@natureboy9339]

BBC if you are serious about corruption and democracy in Africa,why don't you help Africans trace who is taking illicit money from Africa. Help us trace the monies.

[@volgantifriebus9549]

It's called broken democracy like Zimbabwe well done tho

[@shivakumarv301]

A political party should have an ideology and not be way to win elections. The like minded should aline themself to their respective parties.

[@shivakumarv301]

Do parents beat kids in africa? Are children punished by making them fight with each other to understand life as it is and should be?

[@muuseshire4234]

First greeting the panel everyone to parparticipate for the discussion African will be need democratic and free fair elections everyone has right to selected or it elected for him

[@ousmannjie8530]

This British Nigerian sounds more British than an African. So therefore, he does not qualified to speak on behalf of Africans. This person is the new capitalist Africans we need to watch out for. For example, he used Rwanda as an example of a stable Kagame sold out. Be vigilant, the struggle continues!

[@RSVPrr]

lol who are you to think you have the right to qualify and disqualify people on their right to speak? you are just an individual, a persons accent has nothing to do with you. Another thing, who is "we", did Africans elect you as a spokes person?

[@tanniclaudette6158]

Africa is said to be reinventing democracy whereas Cameroon alone is already talking about advanced democracy, where the president modifies the constitution at the eve of elections. Demn!!!

[@carlroberts4963]

There.are.two.types.of Democracy.the.idolog Makes.the.differency.one.is Useing.money.to.support. Corporations.the.other.is Useing.money.to.benifit. The.nation.it.is.a.mind.set Of.theory.based.on.equality Social.wellfair.coheasion.ect.

[@akwasiamponsa7894]

The worse moderator I've seen in a programme of such sort. Why do you invite panelist if you're interested in what the spectators say more than them?

[@shanebrennan2121]

for real

[@gavinjohnson3065]

I thought he did okay

[@chimakalu41]

28:42 tribalism. Somone has now mentioned it.

[@chimakalu41]

1:46 libya representing 🇰🇼

[@aborigineone2377]

Yes, Africa should, and all the leaders should be African young leaders very very few other races in lower positions.

[@mucaawiyehamuudibraahim1596]

Why Somalia 🇸🇴discuss so welcome Africa debate

[@shivakumarv301]

The youngest continent is africa. India when it started its journey as economic super powe was also one of the youngest country'.

[@tampachurchofgod1]

Let us be aware that while the young people have the brain power, they will need the wisdom and money power from older people. And never leave God out of any plan.

[@muuseshire4234]

Thanks good your opinion trad based on democracy

[@shivakumarv301]

Is patenting taught by the previous generation to new parents?

[@africansaint4986]

The Ghanaian PRESIDENT is being so defensive in all the section,if democracy in Africa is work in progress when and how and till when would be matured enough to take it ground.

[@sandal_thong8631]

After watching 30 minutes, this program is pretty sad. Doesn't seem to have a point of view or solution. I've been watching videos from Professor George Ayittey who wrote _Defeating Dictators._ He has passion to criticize how few African countries have a functioning democracy and gets to the point of why this is, what has failed and what can be done. As to democracy he says that's essential, and elections have become important for legitimacy. But dictators have become more clever by their government or his cronies controlling the election commission that counts the votes and will decide the outcome in his favor. In the event that he does allow an election, there are so many opposition parties that it's a divide-and-conquer situation where they split the vote. Ayittey calls for a council of elders to be set up to unify the opposition parties. In a speech he even suggested that a party shouldn't be able to win unless they get at least 20% of their vote from another ethnic group than their own, to prevent one group from taking over the country and leaving the other group out. However, in some of our cities in the United States, we're experimenting with ranked-choice primary elections where if your first choice doesn't win outright, the lowest-performing candidate is out and his votes go to their second choice and so on until a majority winner is found. This results in a winner that a majority think is OK. And elections are less mean, because the candidates want you to choose them as your number two (or three) if they can't win you over to the number one.

[@sofiaa885]

Happy to see a black man talking about Africa’s issue not a white men as usual thanks god.

[@isee8423]

Watched this clip in 2022 it was posted in 2015. 2019 brought Covid 19 and now there is a geopolitical power struggle with its epicenter in Ukraine. The video speaks of the unceremonious, undemocratic deposition of the former leader of Libya. Since then there has been a withdrawal from Afghanistan and no more talk of the "War on Terror", Libya is characterized with instability. African countries and other young democracies who gained thier independence through struggles in the aftermath or World War Two are being asked to support sanctions and economic pressures on Russia from the West in order to defend Ukrainian Democracy and independence. Mr President Ado now a champion of African Democracy in a time where the idea of democracy is being challenged and scrutinized. Western democracy has been proven to work in favor of western countries as one audience member said. There were Race riots again in America last summer, commemorating the return of black American soldiers from the 1919 World War One, a hundred years prior. They had come back after fighting for Europeans Democratic rights to come home to thier Human rights being trampled on in America through segregation and Jim Crow laws. In 2020 the riots were over police brutality on black people. Here we stand in 2022 with war in the west in Eastern Europe in defense of Western Democracy. Are we in the Upside Down?

[@ubuntumike5794]

Her dam earrings 🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

[@ketamends8164]

And what's wrong with her ear rings? That's a African tradition.. what are u an alien? People like u are the reason why our women hate themselves.. next u want her in fake hair.. she is natural u dont like u dont say nothing.. remember all ear rings come from that style stupid

[@UStride]

@@ketamends8164 I understand your disgust but it's possible he was referring to the fact the earrings were hitting the mic making noise. But yeah I agree these earrings are beautiful and my woman has similar ones

[@jeromefox1932]

Ha ha ha not the world youngest Continent. The world oldest Continent. In fact it invented Democracy, religion, math, science etc.

[@sallyjambo5316]

I’m glad 🇰🇪 has no representation here.

[@biancavanderveldenvandeloo8121]

This difrend groups of people if they leurn how to behave when meeting eachother ARE your parties !!! Thats what I mean with Africa already having a very crucial fundament going for a GREAT democracy we would even be able to leurn from !!! If it commes to that point !!!

[@despairspreadslikeavirus9333]

How self righteous pof you. Not acknowledging that Western nations play a huge part in African issues. Where do you think their money goes half the time. African leaders are enticed by people of Western nations regularly to do dirty business which in a way encourages the leaders to do so. In a way they see the money and more they see the more they get enticed by corruption. Also to this day the corruption was created through colonial institutions and laws. If as much as 50% of the GDP of the Ivory Coast ends up in France then I'm sorry it's a real issue. It takes 2 to tango. Also Italy took advantage of Libya's civil conflict to get them to capture migrants heading to Italy even their own citizens. So, that as hard for Libya to do given their history with Libya as Libya was once Italy's colony. Italy is one of the hardest nations to work with given the emotions that arise. So, taking advantage of nations during tough times is also horrendous and part of the problem.

[@brochill3310]

an african dude called "jason" you people are hilarious .

[@Ok-du3rd]

Hhhhhh we do not need western democracy we have African democracy

[@muuseshire4234]

How will be find democratic African is very important your opinion

[@apexwar_]

What do you mean "is Africa re-inventing democracy?", . . . . Africa invented democracy. Go read about the Igbo's.

[@shivakumarv301]

Africa is youngest continent. Is democracy the other name for corruption and dictortship the other name of fear?

[@henrihoya6349]

Wrong network to be addressing African strategy.

[@samgemari]

Democracy is meaningless in african,it cant survive any nation with it only democracy.africa is need strong economy,and education,military institution.

[@turaykalliemohamed8008]

My observation is that more and more violation of human rights and abuse taking place frequently, journalists and civil rights activists imprisonment without proper due processing, the International Court of Justice is slow in tackling this issues so the people suffer greatly under Especially Autocratic leadership in Africa.

[@user-jk1rg1lv1n]

درودبرشما

[@khanjanki8207]

Lets dont talk much lets do it god have gaven africans everthing africans we must ride man we are dying thanks

[@mfecankq]

Useless

[@moseskazungu1158]

I don't agree with you about democracy in the Contnnent of Africa. With European Union and America.becouse we mixed with tradition of America and European Union.America and European Union Impose Tradition to Africa.Defence between European Union and America 🇺🇸 even Arabs Tradition Is Defence Africa Tradition.

[@biancavanderveldenvandeloo8121]

And I sure would like an African man ore woman telling ME this !!!

[@biancavanderveldenvandeloo8121]

Dont forget Africa hase a real crusial democratic fundament already which most not at all lose the difrend groups of people thinking and feeling their own way !!! They only need to controle agresive behavior and bad solger habbits , and do stick to even making better human rights for ruling out any torture , they need schooling so good aducating for locals to become the teachers themselves !!! Ore you will not find democracy growing in Africa !!!

[@tmafungo84]

What rubbish