Political analyst Phapano Phasha has called on African leaders to stop using colonialism and the West as an excuse for poor governance in their countries. In her latest article titled 'Why African leaders must stop blaming the West for their own failures', Phasha argues that Africa's history is important, but so are the choices its leaders make today. She believes that citizens across the continent want change and accountability from their elected leaders.
Phasha, chairperson of the Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought (CAPET), made these comments in an interview with CapeTalk's Clarence Ford. She questioned whether African leaders will ever take agency for their actions and stop blaming external factors for their failures. According to Phasha, African leaders are voted into power by their citizens and are given custodianship to lead, but they often fail to hold themselves accountable.
Phasha highlighted the reality of institutional failure on the continent, citing rampant corruption, conflict, and failing institutions in many African countries. She believes that no one is holding African leaders accountable for their actions, and that this lack of accountability is a major contributor to the continent's problems. Phasha's comments come after last week's United Nations General Assembly in New York, where several African leaders raised concerns about historical injustice and Africa's place in the global system.
While Phasha acknowledges that these concerns are valid, she argues that they do not reduce the need for leaders to address current-day issues. She pointed to the squalor, degradation, and corruption that exist in many African countries, despite some approaching 70 years of independence. Phasha accused leaders of taking a 'moral high note' and questioned why they are not doing more to address these issues.
Phasha emphasized that the central question remains the responsibility of African leaders to their own citizens. She believes that recognizing the lasting effects of colonialism does not have to mean giving African governments a free pass. Instead, Phasha argues that leaders must take responsibility for their actions and work to address the problems facing their countries.
Phasha's comments have sparked a necessary conversation about the role of African leaders in addressing the continent's problems. She believes that citizens have a critical role to play in holding their leaders accountable and demanding change. By working together, Phasha argues that Africans can create a brighter future for themselves and their countries.
Ultimately, Phasha's message to African leaders is clear: they must take responsibility for their failures and stop blaming external factors. By doing so, they can work towards creating more accountable and effective governments that serve the needs of their citizens.
Key points
- African leaders must take responsibility for their failures and stop blaming external factors.
- Recognizing the lasting effects of colonialism does not have to mean giving African governments a free pass.
- Citizens have a critical role to play in holding their leaders accountable and demanding change.
