Should African Countries Adopt Autocratic Governance to Solve Bad Leadership
This is honestly a very deep topic, and one that affects all of us living in Africa. Almost everywhere you turn, there’s one complaint or another about bad governance. People are tired. Tired of poor roads, bad hospitals, insecurity, unemployment, and leaders who only show up during elections. So when some people now suggest that maybe autocracy (one-man rule) is the way forward, I understand where that frustration is coming from.
But personally, I don’t support the idea that African countries should switch to autocratic governance. I believe that even though democracy has not worked perfectly in Africa, autocracy is not the solution.
Let me explain why
Autocracy may seem like a faster way to make decisions — no back and forth, no debates. Just one man in charge, giving orders and getting things done. But at what cost? In most cases, autocracy comes with serious human rights abuse. One person controls everything and no one is allowed to challenge them. The voice of the people is silenced, the media is not free, and fear becomes the order of the day.
We’ve seen it happen before in many African countries during military regimes. People suffered. Those in power ruled with force, not love or fairness. And sadly, many of them were even more corrupt than the civilian leaders we complain about.
What Africa needs is not a change from democracy to autocracy. What we need is a stronger and better democracy. We need leaders who are accountable, a system that works, and citizens who are aware of their rights and are ready to speak up and vote wisely.
Also, we as citizens have a role to play. Sometimes, we are part of the problem. We praise politicians who failed us simply because they share the same tribe with us or gave us small gifts. We forget quickly and allow the same people back into power. Until we stop doing that, nothing will really change no matter the system of government.
Yes, countries like Rwanda have made some progress under strict leadership. But that doesn’t mean the same will work everywhere. Africa is diverse, and every country has its own story. We cannot copy and paste leadership styles just because it worked somewhere else.
The real change we need will come from educating the people, empowering the youth, and strengthening our institutions. Our courts, our electoral bodies, our police all of them need to work the way they should. Then, democracy will begin to make sense.
In summary, I understand why people are tired and feel like autocracy might fix things. But we’ve been there before, and it didn’t end well. We don’t need another strong man in power we need strong systems. Let’s focus on improving what we already have instead of starting another cycle of suffering
