By Robert Kigongo.
Africa is covered with sad news of the demise of H.E Hage Geingob the sitting Namibian President who lost his life at the Age of 82 and was immediately replaced with President Nangolo Mbumba.
According to the Namibian Constitution, former Vice President Nangolo Mbumba stirred the country through a transition until elections for a new democratically elected President in the same year.
Magnificently, I can affirm that is the beauty of Democracy it makes leadership change so smooth, sweet, and flex-less.
The key issue, I would love to acknowledge and highlight in my article is that “Certainly No Namibia is worried about fleeing to exile from his or her Country as a Political refugee because of his political ideology”.
The unfortunate news of the demise of Hage Geingob does not have to worry his government officials and political supporters from unlike other African countries like the Central African Republic, Uganda, Cameroon, Equatorial, Somalia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Rwanda among others.
“It’s very sad to see indigenous citizens with fear for change because of their political ideologies and affiliations to those currently in power and Public Service”;
Sadly, “What should worry us all as humans with freedom of conscience is that such people end up as regime apologists and henchmen defending even the most obvious evil Social injustices gloss human rights abuses, Corruption, and gloss inequalities at the detriment of larger society”.
In Uganda, for example, when walking by Mengo Kisenyi in Rubaga Division and Makindye Division along Ggaba Road from Kabalagala, Kansanga, Muyenga, Bunga to Munyonyo you will be shocked how refugees from Eritrean, Somalia, Somalia have taken over the streets, accommodation and business compared indigenous citizens or nations sometimes causing conflicts with nationalities.
Subsequently, the refugee nations from Somalia and Eriteria have started to worry the citizens in Kampala, especially along Ggaba Road, Makindye division, Kampala capital city, Uganda, East Africa.
On humanitarian grounds, “I can’t make a mistake to blame the refugees from Eritrean, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Central African Republic, DRC they are simply victims of abused democracy back home”.
Nobody chooses to be a refugee, however, “Undermining Democracy is worsening the Influx of Refugees to seemingly peaceful parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, USA, Canada et Cetera.
West Africa Countries including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Gabon are experiencing militia coups and the unconstitutional change of governments.
It’s now more crystal clear than ever before “The root cause of undemocratic change of Government is an abuse of Democratic processes and constitutionalism leading to refugee crisis elsewhere”.
Democratic institutions like electoral bodies and Political parties, besides Militia Coups there also other forms of coups for example;
“Announcing Presidential election losers as winners, cyber election manipulation, unlawful changing of the constitutional term and Age limits that favor dictators to use elections to legitimize unlawful, soft coups and refusal to leave power”
Every action has a reaction, and the consequences of undermining Democracy have caused a refugee crisis from the affected countries to other parts of the World, there are so many Niger, Burkina Faso, and Gabon citizens fleeing the embattled countries to seek new peaceful homes away from home.
Besides West Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, and certain East African countries like Uganda and Rwanda may not be any better because they equally face the same challenges that are similar to those in West Africa.
As President Museveni of the Republic of Uganda stated in 1986 that “The Problem of Africa are the Leaders who over stay in Power” there are many African Leaders who have since over stayed in Power namely President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo of Equatorial Guinea has been in Power for 43 years ,President Museveni of Uganda 38 years, President of Cameroon has been in power for 40 years, H.E Dennis Sassous of Republic of Congo, H.E Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea has been in power for 29 years.
As a result of their grip on power, sadly many economically deprived, Opposition supporters and Opposition leaders have fled their home countries in search of hope away from home hence becoming refugees.
There are also African countries that have turned into Authoritarianism, Dictatorships with sugar-coated Democracy of a party State like China, Zimbabwe, Russia, North Korea, South Africa, and Tanzania these countries barely have regard for human rights Observation and Democracy as a result those that exercise Democratic Principles like Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Participation, Economic Independence have opposed the one-party Kleptocracy have fled the home Countries for refuge.
Mr.Abrehet Letesus (not his real names) an Eritrean refugee residing in Uganda is among the 1.5 Million refugees the country is hosting, narrated;
“Am a professional accountant and investment Banker”
“I used to work in a prominent Bank in Eritrea but the Bank terminated me from Employment on commands from the government that was communicating to Eritrean Opposition members in exile, government security spy agencies printed out my phone daily calls which is a violation of my privacy, the print out allegedly indicated how I used to talk to my Cousin an expatriate on the UN Mission away from home, who was sending school fees to his children”;
Letesus confirmed privately that their cousin was linked to an Opposition party which is his constitutional right to dissent, weeks later after my termination our children were expelled from School denying them a right to education;
We were persecuted for not supporting the Peoples front for Democracy and justice (PFDJ) until the entire family fled from Eritrean and scattered to Refugee camps in Kenya and Uganda.
‘Mr. Abrahet Letesus is just a statistic of millions of refugees scattered all over the world due to the abuse of Democracy principles in mother countries’.
In Uganda, Mr.Kakwenza Rukirabshaija a novelist and top organ youth member of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who currently resides in Berlin Germany as a Political Refugee exercised his freedom of Expression one of the Principles of Democracy, this led to his abduction and torture, lucky enough due to demand of his whereabouts from the former US Mission Ambassador Natalie Brown via her Twitter account, European Union, Journalists, and media houses, Kakwenza was produced in courts of law still the state prosecutors didn’t have defense for state actions justice was denied, Passport was taken away curtailing his freedom of movement eventually Kakwenza managed to flee the country through parlous borders to neighboring countries up to Germany as a refugee.
In Kenya, learned friend Miguna Miguna who has just returned from exile was a political refugee.
Robert Kabuye and Kyuma kya Yesu (Not real names)are Ugandans subscribing to the National Unity Platform a political party led by Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu fled to the United States of America and Canada respectively after politically being witch-hunted.
Kyuma kya yesu has sworn never to return to Uganda unless Democratic institutions are fully independent of tranny of not announcing the genuine winner of Presidential elections.
In other parts outside East Africa, “there are many West Africans from embattled Undemocratic countries crossing to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and Economic survival as a result, many die while crossing the waters, many end up in prisons in Europe and others causing refugee burden to counties like Spain and France”.
Similarly, there are Ugandans, Rwandesse, Kenyans, and Zimbabwe who have fled the countries as Political and Economic refugees to the Arab World, Dubai, Europe, and America are as a result of undemocratic and kleptomaniac leaders that have ended up plundering natural resources, looting National Treasuries to sustain the dictatorships and life presidency.
“It’s very hard to settle into a new environment as homeless and jobless person your human dignity is wiped away with challenges including language barrier, food, and culture, survival is very difficult in the host Communities,” Said Letesus of Eritrean nationality residing in Uganda.
United Nations, Civil Societies and host governments have done a tremendously well towards supporting refugees but the fact remains that host local communities run into insufficient resources, land wrangles, water scarcity, food insecurity and unnecessary competition for basic services that usually not sufficient due to budgetary constraints, planning never the less risks of pollinating diseases, epidemics and new vices in among host communities are high.
Abuse of democracy affects Children, girls and women, minorities more, as majority of refugees face food insecurity, malnutrition, sexual harassment, racial abuse, discrimination, child Labor,inequities,inequalities, poor education which hinders their full potential to achieve long life dreams.
Abuse of democracy and undermining democratic institutions hinders economic development and international cooperation that’s to say democracy is one of the values that qualifies African countries to be part of the African Union and United Nations.
The abuse of democracy leads to political instability in a country has indeed causing an influx of refugees in democratic countries.
Many kleptocratic and dictatorial governments allover the world have failed to protect the rights and safety of all its citizens instead resort to persecution.
Authoritarianism have conditioned dissenting and minority people to flee their homes in search of safety in other African Countries,European Union, Canada, America and Arab World.
Abusing democracy has proved as major factor at play, including gloss human rights violations, conflict, and economic instability.
“Addressing the root causes resulting from undemocratic tendencies like election malpractices among other problem is essential to mitigate the refugee crisis”
Restoring democracy in African Countries can have a positive impact on curbing refugee influx;
Aberehet letesus (not real names) from Eritrean stated “once my country restores democracy, you will not see a single Eritrean in Uganda, we shall all return home and meet our families and lovely ones again”.
Here’s how we can strengthen democracy to mitigate the refugee crisis:
Political Stability; Democracy provides a framework for peaceful transitions of power and political stability.
When people have confidence in their government and its ability to address their concerns, it reduces the likelihood of political unrest and conflict, which are common drivers of refugee crises.
Respect for Human Rights for all;
Democracies tend to have stronger institutions and a greater commitment to human rights for all.
This means that citizens are less likely to face persecution or violence based on their political beliefs, ethnicity, religion, or other factors.
When human rights are upheld, fewer people are forced to seek refuge elsewhere.
Conflict Prevention: Democracies often rely on diplomacy and peaceful means of conflict resolution.
This can help prevent the outbreak of wars or civil conflicts that can displace large populations.
Economic Development; Democracies tend to be more economically stable and open to international trade and investment.
This can lead to improved economic opportunities within the country, reducing the incentive for people to leave in search of better economic prospects.
International Cooperation in place must be respected; Democracies are often more willing to engage in international cooperation and adhere to international agreements and treaties.
This can lead to better handling of migration issues and cooperation with other countries to manage refugee flows.
Transparency and Accountability; Democratic governments are more likely to be transparent and accountable to their citizens.
This reduces corruption and mismanagement of resources, which can contribute to economic instability and poverty, two factors that drive economic migration.
However, it’s important to note that the process of restoring democracy can be complex and challenging, and its success may not always lead to an immediate reduction in refugee numbers.
African Countries must work towards strengthening democracies by retracting on undemocratic practices particularly election malpractices, practice constitutionalism this will curb down the refugee influx which requires a multi-pronged approach that involves not only political reforms but also economic development, conflict resolution, and meaningful international cooperation.
Conclusively and fundamentally, Democracy is the building of peace and sustainable development,wherefore strengthening and safe guarding democracy has huge potential without doubts of mitigating the refugee crisis.
Robert Kigongo is a Democracy deliverer,Peace justice and conflict negotiator.
Kigongokr7@X
HICGI News Agency 