I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine on the subject of democracy in Africa; and why many Sub Saharan African countries fail in their implementation of the ideals of democracy. I argued that democracy as a conceptual framework for individual participation and collective engagement for all and by all, has failed because those in power tend to apportion national resources for themselves, their families, and those within their circle of friends, and acquaintances. I used Liberia (West Africa) as an example. In 1980, seventeen enlisted men led a military coup to overthrow the existing government of William R. Tolbert. Indigenous Liberians (95% of population) welcomed the coup. They felt the time had come for a native son of the land to rule. President Tolbert who had been an Americo Liberian (Descendants of free slaves) was executed.
Until the coup, Americo Liberians ruled Liberia for 147 years. It was alleged that Americo Liberians allocated the country’s resources for themselves and members of their family. A new government led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, and a ruling council was instituted. The new government promised inclusion, equal access and equal participation to all within its borders. The entire country was ecstatic. Mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters thought God had looked upon their travails (like the children of Israel), and sent a messiah who would lead them to prosperity. But their jubilations were short lived, the messiah turned tribal. He organized sham elections and won by landslides. The master sergeant hunted and killed anyone that spoke ill of his government.
The government of Samuel Doe, while it lasted, went against every facets of Gastil’s concept of the democratic process of inclusion, participation, and enlightenment understanding. Another ruthless killer, Charles Taylor, later overthrew Samuel Doe and his government. Charles Taylor carried on exactly where Master Sergeant Samuel Doe left off
