Abstract: In this article, the author want to convey to the audience the system of government in Africa, which is fully dominated by tribal ethnic affiliation. Most of the leaders overstayed in office because they garner support from their tribal loyalties.Most incumbent have ruled for 30 to 44 years or for life; and most head states and governments in Africa do not have respect for the rule of law, human right, freedom of speeches and expression. They also used patronage and the politics of ethnic identity to keep them in power. The term tribal democracy was coined for the first time by the conceding presidential candidate of Namibia during the presidential election of 1994, when the majority tribes voted against the minority tribe candidate. In Nigeria the Igbo against Hausa, Kenya Kuyukiyu against Luo, in Sudan Jaalyin and against other tribes, and South Sudan Dinka against Nuers and other minority tribes and in Rwanda between Hutus and Tutsi. Election in Africa is a tribal pride, and defeat of the presidential candidate is like a defeat of the whole tribe, that is why Professor Patrick Lulumba stated that, election in Africa is a census to determine which tribe has more population than another tribe. This system of electoral democracy is prevalent in most of the African countries. Many African countries use tribal democracy to elect their tribe men.
Keywords: Tribal Democracy, human right, freedom, electoral democracy.
Title: Tribal Democracy in Africa: The Incumbents are the Winner of the Election
Author: Louis M Nyarsuk, Dr. S. Thanigaivelan
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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