Chronicle EditorAFRICA — the continent’s innumerable media houses appear to be in sleep mode and would let Merkel victory in Germany appear as an insignificant dream that would disappear before sunrise.
So unlike our Western and European counterparts in the media fraternity reporting on elections in the continent. One would be forgiven to think that it’s a last feast of the hyenas on a dead carcass. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has won yet another term of office, setting the 63-year-old, according to news reports, on course to match Helmut Kohl’s record as the longest-serving leader in German’s post war history. It is interesting to note that several European media establishments reporting on the episode have not ventured to hint at the Constitutional issue arising from Merkel’s victory, securing her a fourth term in office.
However, they have decided to sentimentalise the victory as another historical exploit in the making in that country’s post war history. Had it been an election in Africa, the outcome would have been different; the repertoire would be of another stolen election in full glare of AU observers, Constitutional breach as President wins another term of office etc. The West and Europe should desist from prevaricating when reporting on African elections vis-à-vis their elections.
Merkel has ostensibly stayed more than two terms in office. However, this is a non-issue in Europe, but another historical feat that must be celebrated and preserved in the records of Germany history. What is disconcerting is the benign attitude of the African press by playing along to the gallery, in lieu of capturing in black and white the double standards of European propaganda.
These issues should be brought to the attention of the ordinary citizen who cannot decode the fine print of erstwhile colonisers bent on undermining African sovereignty and self-determination. By ridiculing constitutionally governed processes, like elections, endorsed by AU observers is another way western and European media establishments try to undermine and belittle African democracy and leadership as inane and incapable.
It is the mantle of the Africa media establishment to rise to the challenge in a bid to expose these critics for what and who they are. Arising from this exposé would be issue of Africa dignity and confidence being brought into disrepute. The African Press must probe Merkel’s election and bring to the fore constitutional impediments in light of African elections.
Speaking at the opening session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State sometime in 2016, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe lamented that “We put a rope around our own neck and say leaders must only have two terms”. Mugabe, added that leaders in Europe did not face the same term limits, yet they are still considered to be democracies “It is a democracy, if people want a leader to continue, let him continue.” Europe and the West have a skewed ideology and application of democracy.
The preach democracy when it suits them abroad and practise a different form of democracy at home. Yet it is neither the attitude of Europeans nor the West that must vex Africans, but the ineptitude of African Press to haul these inconsistencies in policy by erstwhile colonisers to the fore.
Many a young African lacking zeal to read accept this skewed ideology and application of democracy as Gospel truth. But, they can’t be held accountable for this oversight unlike their media counterparts, who deliberately play along to the gallery in their endeavour to condemn African leadership for perceived maladministration.
Information is the first line of defence and Africa must make no mistake about it. Failure to point out this oversight or incompetence by local media establishments does not bode well for Africa’s development. It is irrelevant to point out that this alleged oversight by established African media houses fundamentally hinges on who funds most of these establishments and what is their agenda.
It is the age old proverb of…he who pays the piper…
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter