In Africa, something positive has begun to happen. People are now getting involved in things around them and holding governments to account. In some secondary schools in sub-Saharan Africa, pupils are now taught the indicators of good governance and human rights-based approaches to development.
And this is only the beginning. Some Africans like Mo Ibrahim believe it is time to reclaim the traditional sub-Saharan way of celebrating leadership and good governance. His foundation rewards leaders who have excelled in this regard with $5m over 10 years and $200,000 annually for life thereafter, and up to $200,000 annually for 10 years towards the winner’s good causes.
This, the world’s largest individual rewards scheme so far, has been criticised in some quarters as a waste of resources or a parade of wealth which indirectly promotes false leadership. The critics believe showcasing ‘model’ leaders has never worked in sub-Saharan Africa.
But some believe that Ibrahim is really shining a light on governance in Africa, and that his project will contribute much to improve the quality of governance in the region. This group also believes that Africa as it is now has never had a model of leadership.
However, looking at Ibrahim’s Index of African Governance – based on five categories: Safety and Security; the Rule of Law; Transparency and Corruption; Participation and Human Rights; Sustainable Economic Development; and Human Development – and at men and women like Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who are involved in seeing his vision come true (not to mention Mozambique’s president Joaquin Alberto Chissano, the first winner of the award), one should take Mo Ibrahim very seriously.
Before this award, Chissano had already won great admiration internationally based on his achievements in governance. In coming to power in November 1986, he did not waste time in seeking an end to the bitter civil war in his country. He knew well that in order to move Mozambique forward politically and economically, peace was essential.
In order to achieve this, he reached out to people of all walks of life in Africa and Europe alike. Several reconciliatory meetings were held between him and Renamo leader Afonso Macacho Dhlakama. He offered an amnesty to Renamo fighters and equally enlisted them with Frelimo into the Mozambican army.
Through his actions, Chissano created a stable environment for free elections, held in 1994 and 1999. He created the Commission of National Elections (CNE) which undertook political and human rights education en masse throughout the country. The CNE, which drew members from both the Frelimo and Renamo parties, served as a symbol of peace and reconciliation because of its ability to reach out to all sides.
Chissano also empowered women to participate in political and economic life in Mozambique by setting up in 1994 a quota system requiring 37 per cent of his party’s posts to be held by women. The result is that Mozambique ranks high as a favourable country for gender parity and democratisation in Africa.
Chissano was honest in the fight against corruption. From its meagre foreign aid resources, Mozambique was still able to rebuild roads, schools and hospitals damaged during the civil war. The population was also sensitised to the dangers of the HIV/Aids epidemic more than any other country in Africa.
Economically, Mozambique has one of Africa’s most stable economies, and there has been continuous foreign investment. This is because of existence of safety, security and a stable government. Under Chissano, Mozambique became the first and only country in Africa where post-conflict political elections have been contested in a totally peaceful manner by all conflicting sides.
Chissano’s ability not to bow to the intoxicating nature of political power and his decision not to contest a third presidential term reinforced democratic maturity in Mozambique. Such a selfless act is urgently required from leaders such as Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso.
Above all, Joaquim Alberto Chissano will be remembered internationally as a great leader, a selfless politician who mapped out a practical route to peace and democratisation.
Nchedo Obi-Igweilo is a Nigerian living in Ireland
