Votes Mean Little

Thanks for your magazine, which I got a copy from my friend at the embassy. We are all becoming fed up with the constant image of Africa resorting to volience after each election or regime change. Cote d'Ivoire, Libya, now Nigeria. We are so steeped in tribalism that it is almost impossible for any election to end peacefully with one side accepting defeat. Since the introduction of the multiparty system in Africa, it appears that the era of democratic transition has brought violence and divided people instead of creating unity, as was the purpose. I think this is because tribalism is how African countries separate themselves and people identify themselves this way rather as a collective whole. This results in violence and protest. So is a single party political system better for Africa? Did a single party system contain rivalry between ethnic groups? Opposition can easily whip up divisions between tribes in an effort to disrupt elections and fuel protest. It seems a simple formula by election losers. Denounce election results, try to change vote counts, and then resort to violence if this is blocked.

Africa will have 21 elections this year and if we follow the norm we can expect much violence to follow. Another area of concern is the inability of African leaders to negotiate or mediate in countries where post-election violence flares up. There is no confidence in people that this can be done effectively.

The concept of power sharing is also now part of the political process as disputed election results that reach a stalemate has no other option. Power sharing seems to be a product of international pressure.

Based on the current place African politics is in there seems little optimism for any election to take place where a clear winner voted in, will be accepted without violence taking place. What a sad state of affairs.

Justice Moyo, Zimbabwe

Social Media Rules

It is more than interesting that Nigerians, mostly young ones, were able to use social media to follow the election in Nigeria. Tools like Facebook, Twitter and SMS on cellphones were all used by the youth. Even the election commission urged youth to use their cellphones to record any sign of corruption they saw and have proof of it. This is a big new dimension to voting and I think voters in all elections in future in Africa must make use of this social media. It is our way of fighting against all the fraud and corruption that many of our politicians use to stay in power. We are no longer helpless armed with a cellphone. In fact we become like millions of news reporters as we can record things that happen before our eyes and send them to people around the world. How can a politician now deny fraud or election tampering if so many cellphones have record of the incident and millions of tweeters are discussing it?

New technology and social media have empowered the youth of Africa and it feels good. We are all monitors of elections now so tyrants and fraudsters we are watching you. Thanks to your magazine for your information on China, we see there are many opportunities there. But it is hard to find your magazine here. Please make it more easily available as Chinese news is interesting.

Adedoja James, Nigeria

West Stays Home

As the violence in Libya continues it becomes more horrific by the day. I agree that there must be intervention to stop the killing of so many innocent Libyans, but shouldn't that be left to the anti-Gaddafi forces, who seem to be well armed and passionate about ousting the Libyan leader?  Should the West have intervened at all? The West is too selective in where they intervene (it's obviously always where there is some benefit, read oil and strategic military position. There are autocrats ruling all around the region – so why interfere in this case? There should be one rule for all. And what about after the NATO bombs have fallen and the planes have left? What lies behind is rubble and chaos. Will the West come and rebuild Libya? Africa is trying to resolve its own problems, but how can it do that when the West is always interefering there?

Zhou Wei, China