Problems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Over the last twenty years, Madagascar, Nigeria, Malawi as well as many other countries across sub-Saharan Africa have all undergone major political changes in order to attempt converting to and a democratic form of government as more and more countries all over the world try to make the change to democracy. Although the change has been made in many of these countries, maintaining a democratic form of government for many of these countries has been a daunting task, for more reason than one. Although there are many reasons that democracy has been difficult to maintain in these counties, one stands out above all others.

Political corruption seems to be a major reason for the difficulty presented when trying to maintain a stable democratic government. In Madagascar and Nigeria, corrupt officials from the new government and in some instances have played a role in "dilemmas and contradictions that plague the current democratic dispensation" . In 1993 Albert Zafy was elected president of Madagascar. Since the election it appears as though there has been a sudden rise

. . .

View the whole essay, without interruption

However due to the lack of effective communication, they may not be told the correct electoral process and encouraged to speak out about their concerns. Two of its elected presidents, Zafy and Didier Ratsiraka have use and manipulated the political system for their own advantage. In many cases the president has become synonymous with many of the problems in the system to day. President Olsegun Obasanjo of Nigeria has cracked down on corruption and weeding out all those who held political positions during the military rule. Like wise in Nigeria, the new democracy is plagued by the 15 years of abusive military rule that preceded it. In a majority of cases in Madagascar, voters vote claim to do so because the government tells them to of they feel it’s their obligation to vote, rather than the fact that its their personal right of because they feel they can make a change in something.

For these reasons the democratic form of government will remain shaky and could quite possibly collapse in many of these Sub-Saharan countries in Africa. How can a situation such as this, I which voters are uninformed of correct processes and how to go about change, be effective in maintaining a form of government that is dependent on voter opinions. Many of these countries are coming out of horrific military rules or socialist or aristocratic forms of government, but until they can effectively weed out political corruption which hurts the political system, and maintain voting and keep it recognized as important to the form of government In which they are trying to operate, it will be difficult to maintain the system. Voting Is also dying out due to the lack of informed voters in rural areas. In some cases the candidate will travel through villages handing out money, toys and other goods which have a common use. despite these changes, however, the democracy taking shape is one that appears to be deviating from what democracy is all about.

Another main reason for the difficulty of maintaining democracy in sub-Saharan Africa is voting. Malawi, despite its obvious accomplishments made so far since the beginning of the new democracy, could quite possibly collapse at any moment.

Approximate Word count = 728
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.