Africa is a continent, not a country

Institutions and Democracy in Africa, Edited by Nic Cheeseman, Cambridge University Press, 2018

ICN readers are a worldly, sophisticated bunch, so it might come as a surprise that there are people who make generalisations about Africa, as if it is one country, rather than 57. This collection of essays punctures the myth that African governance is in a state of perpetual chaos, without legitimate institutions. What emerges is an often encouraging overview, with some countries establishing a legislature, judiciary and other institutions that respond to the needs of their citizens.

All across the continent one can find places where there are competitive elections, police who are trained to take women seriously when they report rape, and judges who stand up to bullying political leaders. Unfortunately these countries are in the minority. However, it is clear that even tyrannical rulers now go through the motions of trying to look democratic, for the sake of avoiding international isolation. Previously, they didn't bother stuffing ballot boxes. They simply used the threat of violence to squash all opposition, while emptying the state coffers for their personal benefit.

On the negative side of the balance sheet, several African leaders have manipulated referendums to abolish term limits. China, which is hugely influential in much of Africa, has done no one any favours by setting a precedent by abolishing its presidential term limits recently. But we have also seen the peaceful handing over of power in several previously unstable countries like Nigeria and Ghana.

Meanwhile in economically significant places like Kenya, ethnic politics still dominates, and too many politicians seem motivated by personal enrichment. The Big Man era is far from over, with presidents regarding the legal system as theirs to control. (Africans are hardly alone in this respect). Yet, there are innumerable examples of brave lawyers, journalists, and community activists who risk everything to challenge the old ways. The more we celebrate and publicise their courage, the less likely they are to be "disappeared."

One heartening essay in this collection concerns Liberia's efforts to end the impunity of rapists. Police have been trained not to impede investigations, withdraw cases or take bribes from offenders, as they did previously. They know they face penalties if they revert to old ways. We have President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to thank for this, because she provided the political will to force change from the top, while the international donors provided the funds. It remains to be seen whether much has changed at community level, where women, and not their attackers, have generally been seen as at fault. Also crucial is having the resources to train, equip and pay the police sufficiently to make these institutional changes permanent.

Although this book is written in dense, academic prose, it contains worthwhile insights for those who are interested in the continent as it is today, rather than our occasionally simplistic image of it.