Obasanjo reiterates call for Afrocentric democracy

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated that the way out of the challenges confronting Africa is to re-examine the model of democracy passed on by their colonial masters.

Obasanjo stated this during his keynote address at the Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said leaders across the continent must come together to devise a form of contextual democracy that takes into account past experiences and addresses contemporary challenges.

He said the kind of democracy African countries need should emphasise good leadership, strong institutions, and a stable middle class, all reflecting Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

The former president, who expressed concern about the growing discontent for democracy on the continent, opined that the model that will work for Africa is one that takes into account the typical and predominant political system and is “suitably and appropriately placed to serve the objectives of the African people.”

In her goodwill message, the UN Deputy Secretary General and Chair of the SDGs, Dr Amina Mohammed, said the active participation of women and young people in politics and other decision-making processes will strengthen democracy on the continent.

She drew the attention of authorities on the continent to the effective implementation of laws, adherence to the tenets of accountability, and improved investment in democratic institutions, noting that they are critical to the sustenance of democracy in Africa and beyond.