LESSON FOR AFRICA FROM PRESIDENT BARRAK OBAMA’S ELECTION VICTORY

We at the Big Issue express our heartfelt congratulations to the great people of America for the election of President elect Barak Obama as first black president of the United States of America. What has happened gives hope and courage to all black people throughout the world.

While the American people perceive it is as the realization of a national dream, it is a practical demonstration of the maturity of democracy.  It goes without saying that this is a strategic breakthrough to racial differences. It is obvious that after this election perceptions and way of thinking have started to change throughout the world...

 The logical conclusion is that the United States of America is a land of unlimited opportunities. In fact new opportunities will keep unfolding for those who work hard.

It was like a joke when the President elect as senator announced his intentions  to contest in the just ended Presidential elections. It was feared that senior members of the Democratic Party would not give him the nomination. But this was not the case.

This is the juncture where one can say unequivocally there is a God who created each nation and individual with a purpose.  The book of Jeremiah 29 vs. 11 says God has plans to make nations prosperous and give His people hope and a future.

 The victory of President elect Barrack Obama vindicates God’s power on earth. It is not by chance that he won. God knows the reasons. At some point, I thought unfortunate remarks made by his former church pastor would damage his campaign. This failed to gain traction on the political terrain.  In reality nothing seemed to negatively affect the momentum of his campaign.

The lesson for Africa is that irrespective of where elections are taking place, there are those who waste positive energy on smear campaigns. It is not a factor of country size, or the development stage of democracy, smear campaigns are part of elections. Even religious institutions experience similar episodes.

It is note worthy that the smear campaigns failed to hold traction. The lesson for us is that the first tool for fighting smear campaigns is the candidate’s confidence.  When a candidate lacks confidence, the option is defeatist. I believe Senator Obama’s own attitude was the solution. He never wasted energy to fight the smears campaigns.

A lesson for those aspiring for political office is confidence. It is a demonstration of naivety for a politician aspiring national leadership to waste positive energy on political smears.

According to the lessons from the United States of America, the best strategy is to treat smear campaigns positively. It is a waste of time and positive energy attempting to refute senseless rumors during election campaigns. 

The reality is that smear campaigns are created by failures. They lubricate every elective process. This is defeatist strategy.

Considering the wild euphoria that surrounds the historic election victory, I think it is necessary to discuss American politics in context of diplomacy and international relations. Every country small or big engages with foreign countries through a National Foreign Policy.

Unlike Africa where elected presidents have foreign policy prerogatives, the United States operates from established foreign policy templates. When foreign business is between America and another country this is a bi-lateral relation. When the foreign business involves more than one country, this is multi-lateral and sometimes tri-lateral relation. Trilateral relations involve a third country.

The American democracy was introduced in 1776, with the purpose of resolving serious racial conflicts and civil wars.  One thing to know is that the hallmark of American politics is non racial existence.

It is therefore, wrong for black people to expect favors from America just because the president elect is a black man. My guess is that the election of a black person will open up opportunities for black people throughout the world. We should not be surprised to hear of the election of black leader in other developed countries of the world.

The bottom line guiding aid inflow to a poor country from a rich developed country is national interest.  This is why Vice President elect Biden was recruited. It is not driven by the whims of individuals as is the case in Africa.

Africa must draw a number of lessons from this election. First and foremost, the time for old people is changing.  Political leadership is not limited to seniority status in the political organization. Police protection is not restricted to those in government otherwise the President elect should be been assassinated by now. There must be a handover period for the new president to identify people of suitable qualifications for ministerial posts.

It is sad that in Africa swearing-in ceremonies are hurried. There are no handovers ceremonies. The new president is expected to be master of all trades from the day he assumes office. He is expected to be the richest person while in office. He knows everything. Some members of society cannot be considered for presidential positions.