The curse of gerontocracy
Death comes for everyone, the best and worst among us. It may come suddenly or linger in our midst before taking those close to us.
In politics, especially in Africa, gerontocracy has long been regarded as a curse. A gerontocracy is a form of oligarchical rule in which a country or entity is ruled by leaders who are significantly older than most of the adult population.
After having the yoke of colonialism lifted, there was great optimism regarding the future of the democracies on the African continent.
Memories of harsh political struggles were replaced by images of heroism and confirmed the victory of national liberation movements.
There was hope that these new nations would steer their own ships of state and conduct free, fair and regular elections that would be true reflections of the wishes of the majority.
Sadly, what transpired afterwards was, and still is, far from what had been expected.
In a bid to retain power, leaders initiated a system of electoral manipulation and violence that continues to pervade the continent.
More worrisome, according to Dr Joseph Olusegun Adebayo, was the birth of a culture that excluded Africa's youth from active participation in politics.
This resulted in the retention of old politicians, evident in leadership positions occupied mostly by septuagenarians and octogenarians, creating fertile ground for populism and an inevitable slide into the politics of violence…
In politics, especially in Africa, gerontocracy has long been regarded as a curse. A gerontocracy is a form of oligarchical rule in which a country or entity is ruled by leaders who are significantly older than most of the adult population.
After having the yoke of colonialism lifted, there was great optimism regarding the future of the democracies on the African continent.
Memories of harsh political struggles were replaced by images of heroism and confirmed the victory of national liberation movements.
There was hope that these new nations would steer their own ships of state and conduct free, fair and regular elections that would be true reflections of the wishes of the majority.
Sadly, what transpired afterwards was, and still is, far from what had been expected.
In a bid to retain power, leaders initiated a system of electoral manipulation and violence that continues to pervade the continent.
More worrisome, according to Dr Joseph Olusegun Adebayo, was the birth of a culture that excluded Africa's youth from active participation in politics.
This resulted in the retention of old politicians, evident in leadership positions occupied mostly by septuagenarians and octogenarians, creating fertile ground for populism and an inevitable slide into the politics of violence…
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Namibian Sun
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