Democratic Challenges in African Nations

By: Regine Quidato

1960s Cultural Policies in Africa

In drawing up colonial boundaries, the colonial powers ignored ethnic and cultural divisions.CONSEQUENCES:

Lack of national identity Continuing ethnic and cultural rivalriesCivil wars

Economic Policies in Africa

The colonial powers developed plantations and mines but few factories in Africa.CONSEQUENCES:

Unbalanced economiesSmall middle classesFew products for local consumers

Social Policies-Education

The colonial powers did little to educate the majority of AfricansCONSEQUENCES:

A lack of skilled and literate work force for industry and government

Nigeria

1960 Nigeria becomes independent

Established a federal system (power is shared between states and a central gov’t.) States were based on 3 ethnic groups.

Three Main Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

Hausa-Fulani: Largest group, live in the northern part, MuslimYoruba-Live in the western part, mostly farmers, kings ,Muslim Christian/AnimistsIgbo (Ibo) Live in the south, mostly farmers, democratic traditions, Muslim/Christian/Animists

NIGERIA

1963-1970 Civil War,1970-1979 Military Rule with martial law (temporary military rule)

CONSEQUENCES:Destruction of the Igbo region In 1967 Biafra is created, when Igbo flee to the east and secede from Nigeria In 1970, Biafra surrenders and more than a million Igbo starve to death.Military rule establishes a more stable government

NIGERIA

1979-1983 Democratic rule1983 the military overthrow Nigeria’s civilian government

CONSEQUENCES:The end of democracyHausa-Fulani discriminate against other ethnic groups

1999 Free Elections held

Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yuroba, was elected the first civilian presidentHe was re-elected in 2003Nigeria still has many problems: war, violence, corruption, poverty, and hunger.Does have economic growth because of its oil exports.

Olusegun Obasanjo

President of Nigeria :Umaru Yar’Adua, 2007- Died May 5, 2010

Former Vice President, Now President of Nigeria:

Namadi “Jonathon” Sambo

South Africa

South Africa

1910 gained self-rule as a dominion of the British Empire1931 became an independent member of the British CommonwealthEstablished a constitution that gave whites power and denied the black majority rights.

1948 The National Party gains power in South Africa

CONSEQUENCES:It promotes the Afrikaner (Dutch, white) nationalismEstablishes apartheid policy (the policy of complete separation of the races)Segregated schools, hospitals, neighborhoods.Banned all social contact between whites and blacks.

1959

Minority (white) gov’t. sets up reserves, called homelands, for major black groups in So. AfricaBlacks make up 75% of the population, homelands are 13% of the land.

African National Congress (ANC)

Blacks formed this group in 1912 to fight for black African rights in South Africa. ANC is banned by the governmentNelson Mandela is imprisoned for 27 years as a dissident (an opponent of gov’t policy)

1976

Riots break out in the black township of SowetoCONSEQUENCES:

Government represses protestersProtests mount, violence mountsBy 1986, int’l protests led to So. African government declaring a state of emergency

1980’s

Black So. Afr. Bishop Desmond Tutu launches an economic campaign against apartheid.He asks nations around the world to stop trading with So. Africa.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu wins the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize

1989

South Africans elect F. W. de Klerk presidentCONSEQUENCES

He legalizes the ANCReleases Nelson Mandela from prison18 months after his election, apartheid is repealed

1994

President de Klerk agrees to hold universal elections, people of all races can vote

CONSEQUENCE:A VICTORY FOR ANC Nelson Mandela is elected President, the first black president of South Africa.

1996

A new Constitution including a Bill of Rights modeled after the U.S. Bill of RightsGreater hope for democracy1999- Thabo Mbeki elected presidentSouth Africa still facing major problems (read p.611)

De Klerk Mandela

New President of South AfricaJacob Zuma

FIFA World Cup June 11-July 11, 2010