Challenge of Democracy

Nigeria and South Africa

Nigerian Civil War

• 3 major ethnic groups– Hausa-Fulani, Muslims (North)– Yoruba and Igbo, Christians, Muslims and animists

(South)• Yoruba: farmers w/tradition of kings• Igbo: farmers w/tradition of democracy

• Federal System– one state for each ethnic group– state and federal powers

War with Biafra

• Minorities in each region began rebelling• 1966, Martial Law implemented in Lagos.• Hausa-Fulani attacked from the north – persecuted and killed many Igbo– eastern Nigeria seceded, became Biafra– Nigeria went to war to reunite the nation– 1970, Igbo outnumbered lost and surrendered

Nigeria’s Nation Building

• 1970s Military governed– establish a stronger federal system• strong central gov. with regional units• restore economy based on oil

• 1979, Civilian rule– Dictator took control, Moshood Abiola• jailed dissidents

• 1999, Nigerian hold free elections– Olusegun Obansanjo, reelected in 2003

South Africa

South Africa Fights for Its Freedom

• Following the Boer War (1910) – The Union of South Africa, as a dominion of the British Empire was formed.

- Britain agreed to allow the white settlers to govern themselves.

• By 1931 South Africa had become an “independent member” of the British Commonwealth.

- The South African Constitution gave minority whites complete control of the African majority.

- Apartheid – was established in 1948 with the rise to power of Afrikaner nationalists.

• Apartheid in action – No social contact between whites & Africans, segregated schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods.

- “reserves” were set up for African people, and 75% of the people lived on 13% of them

Mandela ANC & Nelson Mandela – Organized strikes,

boycotts, and other non-violent resistance strategies. The south African government outlaws the ANC and imprisons Mandela.

S.A. continued• Riots consume South Africa throughout the 70’s and 80’s.• Desmond Tutu (African Bishop) campaigned to isolate South Africa within

the international community, which he eventually achieves (Nobel Peace Prize 1984).

• 1989 – South Africans elect F.W. Deklerk who pushes to remove South Africa from isolation.

• 1990 – Nelson Mandela is released (27 years in prison) and the ANC is legalized. Apartheid is repealed 18 months later.

• 1994 free elections were held (Nelson Mandela & the ANC win easily).• 1996 A new constitution is written and South Africa becomes a true

democracy.• Today South Africa still faces many challenges.