In recent years, countries in Africa has been struggling to reach the morning twilight of democracy. Many countries after years of civil wars, coup d'etat, military regimes, genocides, autocratic and totalitarian rule are seeking to be democratic. Various countries such as South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mauritania, and Sierra Leone have strive to achieve democracy by successful elections and power hand-over among political parties in those countries. Some of these countries have had two consecutive government transition which is a greater step toward democracy.
with recent incidents in some African countries like Cote d'Ivoire and Egypt, it seems the democratic morning twilight is been preceded with a violent 'shrouded' dawn. As people are becoming aware of their democratic rights in these countries, their leaders are still being corrupt and power drunk which has led to violent protests in the streets of these nations. After the Ivorian elections of 2010 declared Alassane Ouattara as the winner, the then president, Laurent Gbagbo who has been in power since 2000 refused to accept defeat and hand over power. This led to series of protests and violence in the country's capital, Yamoussoukro and other cities such as Abidjan. This crisis led to the death of nearly 200 people, 1000 wounded, 40 disappearances and thousands of refugees leaving the country.
A similar situation is what is going on Egypt for the past few weeks. People in Egypt are protesting against their current president, Hosni Mubarak to step down but he is determined to complete his term. The protest is concentrated in the capital, Cairo which has led to the destruction of many economic resources, death and causing people to leave the country they love. There are thousands of rioters and protesters in the streets on one side, for Mubarak and the other side anti-Mubarak (Egypt's president). They have been fighting for about a week, throwing rocks at each other and starting fights and fires. As of now, no one knows how long this protest is going to last and if something is not done now, it will be a tragic moment for Egypt and the rest of the world.
As nations in Africa wait for elections this year and the next, should there be more of this circumstances in these countries followed by their elections? The dawn of Africa's democracy is shrouded and such instances is going to have a big blow on its political, socio-economical and technological dependence on foreign countries.
with recent incidents in some African countries like Cote d'Ivoire and Egypt, it seems the democratic morning twilight is been preceded with a violent 'shrouded' dawn. As people are becoming aware of their democratic rights in these countries, their leaders are still being corrupt and power drunk which has led to violent protests in the streets of these nations. After the Ivorian elections of 2010 declared Alassane Ouattara as the winner, the then president, Laurent Gbagbo who has been in power since 2000 refused to accept defeat and hand over power. This led to series of protests and violence in the country's capital, Yamoussoukro and other cities such as Abidjan. This crisis led to the death of nearly 200 people, 1000 wounded, 40 disappearances and thousands of refugees leaving the country.
A similar situation is what is going on Egypt for the past few weeks. People in Egypt are protesting against their current president, Hosni Mubarak to step down but he is determined to complete his term. The protest is concentrated in the capital, Cairo which has led to the destruction of many economic resources, death and causing people to leave the country they love. There are thousands of rioters and protesters in the streets on one side, for Mubarak and the other side anti-Mubarak (Egypt's president). They have been fighting for about a week, throwing rocks at each other and starting fights and fires. As of now, no one knows how long this protest is going to last and if something is not done now, it will be a tragic moment for Egypt and the rest of the world.As nations in Africa wait for elections this year and the next, should there be more of this circumstances in these countries followed by their elections? The dawn of Africa's democracy is shrouded and such instances is going to have a big blow on its political, socio-economical and technological dependence on foreign countries.
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