Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Democracy in Africa | For all its flaws, an example to others | Economist.com

Democracy in Africa | For all its flaws, an example to others | Economist.com

The Economist today has an article that points out the true winner of the current Kenyan election -- democracy in Africa. This election (and yesterday's election of Jacob Zuma as ANC president over Thabo Mbeki) is one of the few tests in Africa where an incumbent is on the back foot. However, as the Economist says, it is "a hard-fought but fair election in a pivotal country".

For all the mudslinging about Kibaki it is important to recognize that he has expanded our democratic space dramatically. (So much so that at times I would get upset with him. If I were president and my ministers insulted me in that fashion they would truly know who was president.) This kind of campaigning would not have even been imaginable with either of our two earlier presidents. Whoever wins this election, if it is free and fair, as it appears it will be, Kenya will win.

I am proud to be Kenyan.

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