Diaspora demands accountable rule

by SAVIOUS KWINIKA 
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – GROWING anger over corruption, bad governance, election manipulation and economic decline is fuelling calls for a united continental movement to hold African leaders accountable and defend ordinary citizens from oppression and poverty.

Across Africa and within the diaspora, frustration is mounting among millions who say corrupt political elites continue to loot national resources while unemployment, hunger and insecurity deepen.

Many Africans who migrated to countries such as South Africa in search of jobs and safety say they are now trapped in a painful cycle of xenophobic violence, harassment and humiliation.

Migrants have repeatedly faced attacks, the looting of businesses and, in some cases, killings by criminal groups and vigilantes in South Africa targeting foreigners, mainly fellow Africans.

Civil society organisations argue that much of this migration stems from failed leadership, corruption, economic collapse and the abuse of state institutions in several African countries.

In an exclusive interview with CAJ News Africa, Citizens Watch Zimbabwe (CWZ) President Patience Chard said Africans were increasingly recognising that the continent’s problems were interconnected and required collective action.

“We are tired of watching a few political elites enrich themselves while millions of Africans suffer without jobs, healthcare, education or dignity. Corruption is destroying the future of our continent,” Chard said.

She confirmed discussions were underway to establish a powerful pan-African pressure group aimed at defending democracy, constitutionalism and accountable leadership across all 54 African countries.

According to Chard, the movement would mobilise Africans across borders whenever citizens were persecuted, elections manipulated or leaders attempted to cling to power unlawfully.

“If citizens are oppressed in one African country, all Africans must stand together. We cannot continue watching dictators violate constitutions, rig elections and terrorise citizens while the continent remains silent,” she said.

Chard said the envisaged movement would organise peaceful mass demonstrations, regional solidarity campaigns and economic shutdowns aimed at pressuring governments accused of violating democratic principles.

“The message is simple: touch one, touch all. Africans must protect each other against dictatorship, corruption and lawlessness,” she said.

She warned that corruption and looting of national wealth by a small elite continued to widen inequality and create dangerous conditions for social unrest.

“When leaders steal public resources, young people lose hope. Industries collapse, schools deteriorate and hospitals fail. Unemployed youths become vulnerable to crime, drugs, political violence and exploitation,” Chard argued.

Political analysts say Africa’s rapidly growing youth population could become either the continent’s greatest asset or its biggest risk, depending on how governments respond to unemployment and inequality.

Experts further argue that countries governed transparently and democratically are more likely to achieve stability, attract investment and create sustainable economic growth.

Chard pointed to leaders such as Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, General Assimi Goïta of Mali, President Duma Boko of Botswana, General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger and President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia as examples of leaders receiving growing public support for prioritising national interests, anti-corruption measures and economic reforms.

She also cited Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema for promoting infrastructure development, investment and institutional reforms aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods.

Other African leaders she described as capable included Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius, President Patrick Herminie of Seychelles and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal.

According to Chard, countries that prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, economic diversification, education and anti-corruption measures are better positioned to create opportunities for young people and reduce forced migration.

“The majority of Africans simply want honest leadership, functioning economies and governments that serve citizens instead of political elites,” Chard said.

She stressed that ruling with impunity, suppressing democratic institutions and tolerating corruption only deepened poverty and instability.

“Democracy works best when leaders are accountable to the majority, when institutions are respected and when national resources benefit all citizens instead of a connected elite,” she said.

Across the continent, demands for accountability, democracy and economic justice are growing louder as Africans increasingly reject corruption, repression and governance by impunity.

– CAJ News