I had been reading the thread about Kenyan elections. And there is someone who put a comment that got into me, but i had no time to get back to them.
This person was talking about Africa needing dictators and not democracy. Also it happened that I watched tha Newsnight programme last night, and I would suggest this guy watches that programme.
The african journalist who was on the programme put it very well, that, the Africans (and in this case Kenyans), are very capable of making 'democratic' decisions, and our brothers and sisters in Kenya made that choice very well. The problem, as the guy mentioned is that, we have dictators who want to cling into power.
I believe there are many ways to have a democratic system. Even a Kingdom can have a democratic system (even our Chiefdoms were more democratic that modern 'democratic' systems). What is important is that people should have the freedom to make informed decisions (that is democracy). And it is up to leaders and the people to create that atmosphere of freedom. If the leadership (Kingdom/Chiefdom) fails to create the right atmosphere for a happy people, then if the people want to change their system, it means they are informed enough to know their rights. If this results in a conflict, it doesnt not mean they cant run a democratic system, it just means they have looked at all other possible means of change........and force is the last option.
As for USA policies on democratisation, that is a big joke. They prop goverments or work hand in hand with people they know they can influence for their own interests. And they are smart enough to change like chameleones to suit changes that are happening beyond their control. Whether it is Musharraff or Museveni (if you call these guys democratic), they will support even a dictator in the name of 'democracy'.
As for Kenya, I have much respect for these guys. They understand change, and they want change.
The opposition in Tanzania should learn from Kenya. As bad as it looks in Kenya with the presidential issue. The biggest win has been the parliament changes. Even if Kibaki manages to stay in power, he will have to dance to the tune of the high percentanges of opposition parliamentarians. The guy is just a lame duck. He will have to rule as a'dictator', otherwise, the people of Kenya have done what Tanzanians need to do. And the people of Tanzania can only do that, if the opposition gets to the people who are not 'informed' of their rights and changes that can be of benefit to them. But so long the average Tanzania doesnt know of their rights, then you cant blame that democracy is failing. It is just that, they are not aware of the strength of their vote. If an african government (such as under CCM), cant deliver on promises for basic needs, then they deserve to be kicked out........but they can only be kicked out if the people know that they deserve better (and know that they have the power to make that change).