The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
21 April 2008
editorial
This year will go down as one of the saddest for African democracy. Results of the presidential election in Zimbabwe have yet to be released, over three weeks since Zimbabweans cast their ballots, and there is nothing to suggest that the outcome will be known any time soon.
Neighbouring Kenya is still smarting from post-election violence sparked by a disputed presidential ballot. About 1,200 people were killed and over 350,000 other driven from their homes in two months of mayhem that left the rest of Africa staring in disbelief. Kenyans are now praying that an uneasy grand coalition that has brought together bitter rivals in last year's General Election holds until the next elections in 2012.
In Cameroon, President Paul Biya has presided over a controversial constitutional amendment removing a two-term limit that could see him extend his 25-year rule over central Africa's biggest economy past 2011.
Mr Biya's second and final seven-year term was scheduled to end in 2011 following the introduction of a new constitution in 1996.
Developments in Zimbabwe and Cameroon are yet another step backwards in a worrying trend that seems to be taking Africa back to the days when the continent teemed with life presidents, people who would stop at nothing to cling on to power.
It is small wonder that the West continues to lecture Africa on democracy much as we resent interference in our internal affairs.
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