As an independent-minded politician, I discussed with a group of young people today as they prepared to attend a campaign rally, I realized that tribalism in national matters is still Africa's most dangerous behavior. An understated, direct consequence of colonialism as Europeans created new African nationalities in total disregard of indigenous dispositions. The result is a persisting backward mentality where some individuals are waiting for what they call "their tribes' turn to rule". These are people who obviously haven't learned any lessons from our history. What is the fair mechanism that determines whose turn it is? How will the so-called "national cake" be distributed equitably if a group is seeking leadership because they have unilaterally decided that it is their turn? What are the rest supposed to be doing while one tribe is "eating"? Will they be allowed to take a bite or not? If this is where we still are, then we need to rethink civic education in regards to Afro- democracies. We need to re-establish African patriotism where leaders genuinely care for all their peoples. We also need to enact a law that blacklists individual politicians who practice sectarianism/hate-speech from public office. The African countries that we have today are a mzungu's thing imposed on Africans. A European concept designed for them to share and exploit the continent. Not for us to seek our best interests. Basically a 'divide and rule' product. In 1963, Ghanaian leader and Pan-Africanism pioneer Kwame Nkrumah said: "While so many blessings flow from our unity; so many disasters will continue from our disunity." Tribal mentalities in national matters are a clearly proven recipe for disaster. We therefore need to surpass the colonial concept by increased African political and economic integration. While it is important to maintain culture as a valuable product of the continents diversity, it is much more crucial for us to embrace one Africa that is open to all Africans.
Author: Hussein Lumumba Amin 13/01/2016 Kampala, Uganda
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