For hundreds of years from the 1500s to the 1960s, Africa was a patchwork of European colonies, most of them under British control. Before the colonization of Africa began, though, the continent was home to dozens of tribal regions and ancient kingdoms operating under varying levels of organization, some of which were very large and sophisticated. Sub-Saharan Africa, the region above the Sahara Desert, was well known to Europeans because of its ancient connections to former empires to the north and east. However, the lands to the south were largely hidden to Western societies, except perhaps for Mali and Great Zimbabwe.
Eventually, though, Europe “discovered” that there was more to Africa than deserts and dangerous coasts. And as soon as the European powers realized how rich the continent was in natural resources like gold and diamonds, the race was on to carve up the continent among them. By the end of World War II, when France, Germany, and even Britain were in no position to maintain control over distant colonies, Africa was poised for change. During the middle and late 1960s, many former colonies gained independence as Europe's power and influence waned.
The most difficult challenge for many newly independent African nations was that their borders had little relation to the natural divisions that had characterized Africa before colonization. The borders around each nation were simply created by European monarchs when they divided the continent among themselves, ignoring the tribal and imperial borders that had existed before their arrival. As a result, competing and sometimes incompatible ethnic groups were expected suddenly to work together to build a democratic government. This factor, and the colonists' general lack of experience with democracy (having been colonies for so long), led to one-party republics and then to dictatorships. Only within the last three decades has democracy really begun to thrive in Africa.
Learn more about three modern African democracies. Use the tabs below to explore the ideas, leaders, and conditions that have led to their success or failure.
Botswana
Kenya
Central African Republic
Small and landlocked, Botswana gained its independence from Britain in 1966. From the beginning, it looked to the West to see how democracy is done. Its first leader, Seretse Khama, modeled the government after Britain's multiparty format. The nation was able to use its natural resources--namely, its diamonds--to build a strong economy. As a result, it became one of the strongest democracies in Africa despite being one of the weakest when it first gained independence. Another reason for Botswana's strength was the connection between Khama, a prince of the former royal house, and the fight against apartheid, the principle of racial separation.
Unfortunately, cracks are forming in Botswana's political system. The main political party, BDP, has been in control for decades, and the current president is Khama’s son, indicating a tendency toward dynastic, or hereditary rule rather than use of an electoral process. Corruption has begun to threaten the nation's economic stability, and some minority parties have expressed concern that the BDP may be clinging to power. Some of its opponents have even died or disappeared due to suspicious circumstances. Whether the nation can regain its grip on democracy remains to be seen.
Kenya is sometimes seen as the heart of democratic East Africa. Formerly a British colony, Kenya gained its independence in 1963 after bloody battles between the British and the Mau Mau, a rebel group. Almost immediately, the nation’s first leader, Jomo Kenyatta, found himself fighting against rebels wanting to break away and join other republics. Mau Mau was a passionate capitalist and also conservative; his leadership was seen as dictatorial at times, and he only relinquished power upon his death in 1978 since Kenya had a one-party system.
Kenya's next president, Daniel arap Moi, led the country into a nightmare of attempted coups and frequent massacres. At one point, voting was altered to a public showing of support over the secret ballot. After Moi was barred from running for office again, power shifted to a coalition party seeking greater democracy and freedom. A new constitution granted broader freedoms and greater transparency, but in-fighting and distrust among various ethnic groups continues.
Once known as French Equatorial Africa, the Central African Republic is located in the middle of Africa. It gained its independence in 1960 after years of agitating for freedom from France. The Republic's first leader, David Dacko, threw out all opposition and made the CAR a one-party state. Then in 1965, Dacko was overthrown by a military coup. The leader of the coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa, discarded the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly. He then declared himself emperor, and renamed the nation the Central African Empire. In 1979, France and United Nations forces removed Bokassa, restored Dacko to power, and restored the former name.
However, Dacko’s new administration was short-lived--another coup removed him in 1981. General André Kolingba once again threw out the constitution and enforced one-party rule. After international pressure, an election was held in 1993, and Kolingba was removed and replaced with Ange-Félix Patassé, who was thought to be pro-democracy. However, Patassé soon purged the government of all opponents and began persecuting various ethnic groups. He was eventually overthrown, and a series of leaders led the CAR during a civil war. Genocide was rampant during this time, and the nation is now heavily divided between an Islamic party and a Christian party, with little hope of peace in the near future.
Question
Why was building democratic governments so difficult in Africa?
When the colonies were declared independent by European nations that no longer wanted responsibility for them, their leaders were faced with uniting ethnic and tribal groups that had competed for scarce resources or influence in the past.
