Editorial: Why Africa never dreams any more

Africa once dreamed boldly about liberation, industrialisation and prosperity. Today, too many people across the continent dream only about survival or escape. Former South African president Thabo Mbeki’s remarks last week about how regional leaders once blocked former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba’s attempt to extend his rule carried an uncomfortable warning for modern Africa. His remarks reminded the continent that there was once a time when constitutionalism mattered enough for African leaders themselves to defend it openly. That spirit appears to be fading. Across the continent, democracy increasingly looks designed to protect political incumbents rather than strengthen institutions. Elections continue to take place, yet many countries remain trapped in the same crises decade after decade, including unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, and economies built around exporting raw materials while importing poverty. The greatest tragedy facing Africa today is that millions of young people no longer believe the continent can transform within their lifetime. Many young Africans no longer dream of building the continent because too many leaders continue to reproduce the same failures generation after generation while expecting different outcomes. People eventually stop dreaming when leadership repeatedly mistakes political survival for national progress.