Alienation cause of political instability in Africa — DG SS

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Director General of the State Service (DG SS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, has linked political instability in some African countries to the alienation of the people from governments and authorities, saying deliberate efforts must be made to ensure inclusion.

This was as he noted that the political culture needed to sustain liberal democracy can best be described as weak in most of the post-colonial African nations.

Bichi made the assertions, Thursday, at the 2022 Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), for participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC 15), in Abuja.

The DG SS, who was represented by the Director of Training at the National Headquarters, Mr. Brown Nkoaba, however, noted that a lot has been achieved some African leaders, through focused leadership.

“Historically, there have been a significant transformation in the political systems in many African countries, some of which have enhanced regional security and development”, the spy master pointed out.

While arguing that significant institutional changes have taken root in many African States, he insisted that a lot need to be done, to leapfrog the continent to its pride of place in global affairs.

The DG continued: “Worthy of note, here, are institutional changes that have transitioned from the racially-based apartheid regime in South Africa to non-racial democracy.

“Many civilian and military dictatorship have fallen for for the establishment of rule of law-based governance systems, characterised by constitutionalism, including reforms such as observation of pandemics in office.

“However, many African countries are still struggling to deepen and institutionalise democratic niceties and culture as against governmental impunity, human rights violation, abuse of executive powers, among others.

“It is gratifying to note that most African regional organisations have a stated vocation of promoting democracy, but the foundations and institutions of political culture necessary to sustain liberal democracy can best be described as weak for most of the post colonial era.

“Some governments across African continent are becoming more alienated from the people that claim to be representing (thereby) giving rise to political instability within the region, as already seen in some countries in Central Africa, and in some countries in West Africa in recent times.

“As we rise to the democratic chat to tackle democratic challenges, I implore you, distinguished guests, distinguished course participants, to pay attention to this erudite scholar and guest speaker, as he explores all this all important topic.”

Earlier in the lecture entitled, Building The Democratic Culture In Africa: The Pains and Gains, Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, enjoined African leaders to harness the advantages that accompany diversity.