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From: samuel Igbu (ypfdjbc@gmail.com)
Date: Thu Mar 10 2011 - 18:33:55 EST
Part XIII and final
Egypt’s journey over the past half century is a common denominator of the
current popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East, as elucidated
in the previous series of articles. Accordingly, it was spelt out that
mismanagement that gave rise to the culture of corruption and plunder, an
economic order that benefit only a handful of internal and external
exploiters, dependency that paralyzed military capacity and political
servitude that undermined national dignity are the main causes of the
uprising. This article would highlight the prevailing state of instability
in the majority of African and Middle East countries, as well as others.
*Family-based politics: One of the major causes of instability *
Before outlining the nature of family-based politics in many countries in
the Middle East, Africa and others, it is worth quoting the reply President
Isaias Afwerki gave in 2009 to a question by journalists representing
various media outlets as to why he doesn’t bring members of his family with
him during visits abroad:
“The reason why the issue of democracy and non-democracy is becoming a major
question in a number of countries is basically because nations are becoming
family-owned. In some societies, a nation is nominally referred to as one
belonging to the people, whereas in actual fact it is owned by a single
family. It is a single family that controls the government and does whatever
it likes through monopolizing economic and political power. On our part, we
don’t want to see such an order getting established. We do not allow the
existence of supremacy of any group or family in which the people are ruled
by families and corrupt individuals who place themselves above the law….”,
the President elucidated.
Indeed, this is true of the objective situation in the majority of the
countries of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and even in the
developed nations. In we look at the situation in the African and the Middle
East regions, the root cause of the current popular uprising is the
existence of extremely narrow family-based politics that marginalizes the
majority population. Although the role of external interference is not to be
viewed lightly, the prevailing narrow family and clique-based politics is,
nonetheless, paving the way for such interference.
It is to be noted that in countries under monarchial rule, the royal family
monopolizes all political and administrative authority, land ownership and
other national resources. The vast majority of the population are considered
mere servants of the royalty. The people have no say at all in the
management of their land. Such a situation naturally gives rise to unlimited
exploitation of natural resources on the part of a single family, while at
the same time the majority of the population are marginalized.
Many countries of North Africa and the Middle East fell under feudal rule
following decolonization. But it is inconceivable under a feudal system to
build a viable nation through implement development programs for the benefit
of the people. And short of a just political system, stability is
unthinkable. As a result of popular uprising and military coups against
feudal rule, several monarchies in the Middle East and North Africa were
overthrown. If at all there exist remnants of the previous royal families,
they are but a few.
As history fully attests, it does not mean that popular uprising always
leads to a just political order. In many instances, even those political
forces that assumed power overthrowing royal families through coup d'état
and popular revolutions often resort to group politics that is not much
different from a family-based one. In gross violation of their previous
pledge to uphold the popular cause, they bring friends, relatives and the
like into their camp, thus ending up in ruthless exploitation of national
resources.
External forces, especially western companies, non-governmental
organizations and western banks are the very ones that not only lay the
groundwork for rampant corruption but also push those who seize power
following the demise of feudal rule to get involved in the same mess.
However, apart from external factors, the decisive factor for rampant
corruption remains the domestic one. In this connection, first ladies, close
relatives and friends, as well as capital owners are often the very ones
that prompt persons in authority to practice corruption. Hence, a leader
keen to serve the people with honesty and dedication needs to keep distant
from such elements.
It is to be recalled that at the time the ousted Tunisian President Bin Ali
was engaged in hectic preparations to leave the country amidst the popular
uprising in February 2011, his rapacious wife was looking for a plane to
transport gold assets to foreign land, on top of the assets she deposited
abroad. This so-called first lady used to get commission from various trade
and economic activities in the country. There are also many similar greedy
first ladies in different countries. Taking a close glance at this region,
Azeb Mesfin, the wife of the Ethiopian Premier, and Khadra, wife of the
Djiboutian leader, engage in rapacious practices in a bid to amass wealth
through monopolizing all economic and trade activities in the two poor
nations. This obviously is a prelude to the inevitable failure of both
states. It is worth mentioning at this juncture that the Eritrean
government’s move in the early 90s to legally prohibit the wives of
government officials from owning business firms was essentially aimed at
averting this type of malaise. The significance of combating conflict of
interest emanating from such instance on time is obvious (although there are
some corrupt individuals who for the time being are engaged in covert
business activities under different names).
In line with the open-door policy that paved the way for free market,
gullible observers may think that it would speed up development process
through active trade and economic activities. However, under family-based
political setting most business firms are owned by a handful of state
officials who seek to amass wealth in complicity with foreign companies.
It is a common practice to witness western countries deploying their own
soldiers in those areas where their companies operate in gross violation of
the sovereignty of a particular nation. And all the expense for the upkeep
of the foreign soldiers is covered by the home country itself. As the ruling
cliques do not trust their own people, they are ready not only to accept the
stationing of foreign forces in their respective countries but also pay the
salary of the soldiers. They even bring mercenary soldiers from abroad to
guard themselves and their palaces.
At this juncture, it is worth mentioning the remarks former US Secretary of
State Madeline Albright made in a meeting with a certain Arab official
saying: “You have nothing to worry of invasion by a neighboring country; we
will protect you with our own soldiers.” But all this was to no avail. The
price which family-based ruling cliques pay to foreign troops to ensure
their narrow interest at the expense of national resources is quite huge.
Family-based politics is one of the main causes for the popular uprising in
North Africa and the Middle East. However, such state of affairs cannot
continue forever in view of the fact that public awareness around the globe
today is gaining momentum more than ever before.
Hence, the mass uprising being witnessed in various parts of the world
symbolizes the end of the era of family-based politics, domination and
dictatorship, as well as one that heralds the transition into a new world
order. But it cannot be taken for granted that popular uprising always leads
to the desired goal. It should be underlined that the forces that lost their
privileges would not desist from trying to sabotage the gains of the
uprising. Thus, still greater struggle and vigilance is called for in order
to realize social justice.
Victory to oppressed peoples!
-- Sincerely *YPFDJ British Columbia Chapter* YPFDJ Goal and Purpose- Our goal is to build a strong, conscious and patriotic youth movement.
Our purpose is:
- To raise the awareness and level of organisation of Eritrean youth to serve our nation - To reassert the identity, patriotism and unity of Eritrean youth - To promote the participation of Eritrean Youth in the national reconstruction of Eritrea as well as guarding the sovereignty of Eritrea - To enhance the position and influence of Eritrean Youth in their respective countries of residence.
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