Former President Obasanjo Criticizes Western Democracy’s Impact On Africa

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated his stance that Western liberal democracy has not been effective for Africa…CONTINUE READING

He argues that liberal democracy does not consider the continent’s history, culture, and tradition, ultimately failing to represent the majority’s views.

Speaking at a high-level consultation on ‘Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa’ in Abeokuta, Obasanjo, the convener of the event, described Western liberal democracy as a system where “a few people” govern over the entire population, and these few are not fully representative of all the people.

He advocated for “Afro democracy” as an alternative to Western liberal democracy, emphasizing that African countries should not operate a system of government in which they have no hand in its definition and design.

Obasanjo emphasized the weakness and failure of liberal democracy, highlighting issues stemming from its history, content, and context.

He questioned whether the minority should be ignored, neglected, and excluded in a system defined as the rule of the majority.

The former President called for a reevaluation of democracy’s performance in the West, encouraging a critical examination of liberal democracy’s practice and the identification of shortcomings to bring forth ideas and recommendations for a system that better serves Africa’s purpose.

He urged leaders of thought in academia and experienced political figures to think innovatively and act on new ideas to create a changed system of government that aligns with Africa’s needs and experiences.