AFRICAN CRISIS; THE IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL EXTREMISM After several calls to write on the issue, I have reluctantly decided to take on the implications of religious and political beliefs on the average African society or nation. I say reluctantly, because of the sensitive nature of the topic, but let's face it, unless we begin to address these issues with the aim of finding solutions to them, the African continent will continue to be dogged by repeated violence fanned by fundamentalist theories and sustained by extremist thinking. Today, political, economic, and social crisis are rampant in many African countries. Many of these countries are at war either within their national territories or against erstwhile neighbors who now fall within separated geographical areas labeled as foreign nations by imperialist delineations glorified as 'balkanization.' From Angola through Congo and onward to Sierra Leone, where many atrocities such as the crude amputation of limbs are being carried out in the war for diamonds and political control. In Zimbabwe, where the Robert Mugabe purported effort to reallocate the ownership of lands from the whites to original black owners, has been condemned as a ploy to enrich his tribesmen, which has now drawn the wrath of European Union sanctions. In Nigeria, where as put by The New York Times (February 23, 2002), "An abusive military, deadly ethnic, and religious violence, police mutinies and aloof presidential leadership are tarnishing the once shining reputation of Nigeria's president, Olusegun Obasanjo." In Sudan, where it is widely reported that the General Omar el-Bashir led government continues to encourage Arab Militants to perpetrate 'talibanistic' mayhem including slavery on the southern blacks, while most other African leaders (especially of Arab nations) seem more concerned with the attainment of a Palestinian state rather than dealing with the atrocities being meted on fellow Africans in the 'backyards' of their nations. The list goes on, and it makes one wonder if the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is of any use to Africa and Africans. From the gruesome picture painted by the above outline, two basic questions arise. First, why does this predicament seem perpetually endemic in the societies of Africa, from the rural chiefs and religious houses to urban government quarters? Secondly, what happened to the simple tenets of morality, conscience, justice, love, and the dignity of human life? It is my assessment that the answer to the second question, obviously answers the first, although I will let you draw your own conclusions. Perhaps like other concerned Africans, you are wondering - could it be that we have chosen to blindly follow the thrust of religious and political dogma rather than simple compassionate reasoning? Could it be that we have given up our ability to rationally make decisions as human beings, and have rather settled for a lesser degree of integrity akin to that of creatures of lower existence? A common characteristic could be found at the root of all the crisis situations earlier cited above - the influence of extremist theories based on imported religious and political concepts, which we have partially assimilated and therefore failed to properly execute. We have forgotten the true nature and originality that made our continent the cradle of civilization. Caught in between the predicament of foreign cultures and the remnants of what made us Africans, we are no longer certain of the true direction. In this confusion, we now seek to impress ourselves by scrambling to salvage what is left of our existence, but in our desperation we have become our own enemies, killing and maiming each other in order to survive and to maintain our fragile hold on power and control over the underprivileged ones amongst us. I know that some will instantly disagree with this view before they even read through, but that is exactly the point - the lack of objectivity which robs us of the common conscience that allows one to fairly and impartially analyze situations and deal judiciously with all concerned. Dogmatic thinking and biased propagations that lead to narrow minded decisions which in turn results in the continent's degeneration in the face of abundant natural resources and a high level manpower. Many of us are quick to blame our socio-political woes on colonization, insisting that the colonial masters merged differing tribes and cultures together, which have led to continuous conflicts. True, that has been part of the problem but definitely not the crux of it. These differences will always exist. Such is life. No nation is made up entirely of people of the same race, color, creed, culture, or language. America for instance, is made up of varying immigrants, yet it remains an epitome of unity and freedom even in the face of the greatest threat to its existence. England still maintains its royal hierarchy, which allows the operation of an independent political institution and leadership equal to what the present world now demands of the nation (and even the commonwealth). Why would the African equation be so different? Why do subordinates (even the less qualified to lead) want to grab power by any means possible political maneuverings, rigged elections, and coup-de-tats? Why are various opposition leaders quick to picking up arms and retreating to the bush in order to subject their various countries to ceaseless rebel attacks and guerilla warfare rather than give up their lust for power, and settle issues in a round table discussion? Why would our leaders want to perpetuate themselves in power rather than hearken to the agitations of the people they lead? Our forefathers had tribal wars in their time. They were not perfect, and as humans, they may have erred here and there but they found a way to coexist and seemed to have enjoyed more peace than we now do. Why? The truth is that our forefathers lived (not 'played') their politics and practiced religion with conscience and morality as their guide. They had compassion and believed more in the society than in themselves. This is neither a suggestion that we should entirely revert to the ways of our forefathers, nor a call for a re-colonization of our nations as some have done, but there is nothing wrong in deciphering what worked before, and applying them in today's society if that will bring us the cherished peace and progress that continues to elude us. Take religious dogmas and dirty politics away from the equation, and you would have substantially taken away fanatic thinking and its havoc on the society. Do not get me wrong; I am not suggesting that religious and political beliefs be expunged from our society, but early African societies existed more peacefully regardless of their cultural and tribal differences until the advent and predominance of foreign religious loyalty and borrowed political systems which have now robbed most Africans of objective reasoning and the gift of understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. This write-up does not condemn or praise any particular religious practice or political culture. In fact such freedom of choice is rather encouraged. However, the irony is that the same fairness to freely choose and practice a religion or political belief, requires the assurance that one's freedom of practice shall not become an impediment to another person's practice of his or her own choices. In other words, this freedom does not allow extremism. Incidentally, herein lies the African problem. Religious and political beliefs continue to inform the decisions of many Africans who thereby relegate morality and conscience to the background. Even if such decisions were basically unreasonable, the believer would still disregard common sense and stick to dogma religious or political. Even if it meant the barbaric killing of another, the unfair destruction of lives and property, or the deprivation of comfort and happiness to the helpless and the harmless, the extremist would still be justified in his mind by his extremism. Many of us practice this without knowing it, and usually, this is casually classified as nepotism, dichotomy, or tribalism without any honest inquiry into its cause. One might ask - what should we do to resolve the situation? Honestly, I may not have the answer but I do know that the diagnosis of a sickness is a major step towards the curing of it. Many of our people fail to pause and do some honest self-evaluation. Turning that attitude around could be a good way to start. Secondly, the role of our religious and political leaders (this includes tribal and traditional leaders) should be reassessed because of the effect they have on the masses they lead. Most of the violence and dastard acts perpetrated by the average citizen is based on his conviction consciously or unconsciously that his leader or mentor must be right. Hence he goes out to give effect to the thoughts of his leader and thus, if the leader's thoughts are evil, the evil machinations of the leader are thereby given life as the mayhem we hear, see, or read about, and vice versa. Leaders who use their political platform or religious pulpit as a stage to propagate hate and violence have to do a quick rethink of their roles in life. Almost all scriptures have something akin to the spiritual law that says - 'Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap.' Everyone who inspires another person to kill or harm another will be held accountable. They may escape societal punishment for a while, but they will be spiritually held accountable whether they believe in retribution or not. God could not have created a world and then authorize a few people to oppress, maim, or kill the rest who do not share their tribe, language, race, creed, or aspiration. That would be preposterous and an insult to God's omniscience. |