Even before Donald Trump won the elections in November 2024, those familiar with the general feel of African democracy or democracy in Africa could see the parallel and linear similarities with his incoming administration. The point of departure in this discussion is based on the general consensus that America is, or was the self-anointed High Priest of anything and everything democracy, democratic and the rule of law. Prior to “Trumpocracy”, America’s global leadership was underpinned by its institutions and the associated values that served as blueprints for over 90% of governances throughout the world. The security and stability of the world were propped on these democratic values, which served as constitutional guardrails that have stood the test of time and for the best part of 8 decades.
Sadly, what’s happening in America today is enough to make its founding fathers turn in their graves. The collective stability, security and well-being of the world was built on the wisdom of its fore bearers. Since Trump came back for a second bite of the cherry, he has embarked on dismantling the rule of law, the very cornerstone of American democracy. His political alchemy is aimed at metamorphosising democracy into autocracy. His Trumopocracy is used to target opponents and critics in the theatre of vengeful and antagonistic politics. What’s baffling is how accepting this abnormality is being normalised by the politburo, as if under psychedelic hypnosis.
It is now a common sight to see journalists silenced, muzzled, banned and ostracised simply because they criticise, ask critical and difficult questions or refuse to follow the narrative of government- appointed spin doctors. How many media outlets have been banned by the Trump World? On Wednesday, the world was treated to one of Trump’s disciples, Marjorie T. Greene’s tantrums when faced by a Sky News reporter. What’s’ alarming was her declaration that she doesn’t care what the world thinks about America and American politics. It is no secret that one of the cornerstones of Trumopocracy is to abdicate the monarchy of leading the free world. How Trump goes about it would definitely have serious consequences world-wide; as the implications of which have triggered this article and as its main thrust.
It is easy to think that what goes on in America stays in America, or better still affects only America. Africa and its leaders are notoriously known for their allergy to democracy and democratic principles. If truth be told, the threat of economic sanctions, threats of being ostracised from mainstream world forums and other soft power tactics have been used as antidote to address the continent’s political allergies. While some leaders have continued to treat their countries like family heirlooms, the majority has made strident efforts towards democratic governance. It is refreshing to see many African countries adopting the two-term Presidential term limits, even though I believe that it is useless in the absence of accountability. When Trump decides to go after his political opponents, populates his government positions with his cronies, acolytes, family members and party loyalists, when he takes unilateral decisions to engage in mass deportation of people without due process, when Trump defies court orders and does as he wishes, does that sound familiar? When he creates a blur among the three branches of government whereby they overlap seamlessly to accommodate his whims and caprices at every turn, you realize that the death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush, but by a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and political undernourishment (R.M.Hutchins)
Interestingly, Trump’s behaviour does not come as a surprise. Unlike some African leaders who behave like foxes that promise to become vegetarians during campaign seasons, Trump does exactly as he said on the tin. He is doing exactly as he promised during his campaigns. Why the surprise? What is surprising is the docility with which his Trumpocracy has been accommodated.  Liz Cheney once warned her Republican colleagues who were defending the indefensible during the January 6 hearings, “There will come a day when Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain”. While the Democrats are still licking their wounds from reality, their deafening silence from the trauma, though understandable, is slightly baffling. While some would see it as a political tactic to allow those who voted for Trump, in spite of all the “beware the ides of March” soothsaying from the democrats to reap what they sowed, the emerging sense of Schadenfreude is frightening. At face value, it feels like Trump has been given a blank cheque or carte blanche that some of us are unfortunately accustomed to in Africa.
So, who would rein in our leaders, if they stray from democratic principles?
While Africa boasts of its sad monopoly to the longest serving leaders ranging between 30 to 40
Sadly, what’s happening in America today is enough to make its founding fathers turn in their graves. The collective stability, security and well-being of the world was built on the wisdom of its fore bearers. Since Trump came back for a second bite of the cherry, he has embarked on dismantling the rule of law, the very cornerstone of American democracy. His political alchemy is aimed at metamorphosising democracy into autocracy. His Trumopocracy is used to target opponents and critics in the theatre of vengeful and antagonistic politics. What’s baffling is how accepting this abnormality is being normalised by the politburo, as if under psychedelic hypnosis.
It is now a common sight to see journalists silenced, muzzled, banned and ostracised simply because they criticise, ask critical and difficult questions or refuse to follow the narrative of government- appointed spin doctors. How many media outlets have been banned by the Trump World? On Wednesday, the world was treated to one of Trump’s disciples, Marjorie T. Greene’s tantrums when faced by a Sky News reporter. What’s’ alarming was her declaration that she doesn’t care what the world thinks about America and American politics. It is no secret that one of the cornerstones of Trumopocracy is to abdicate the monarchy of leading the free world. How Trump goes about it would definitely have serious consequences world-wide; as the implications of which have triggered this article and as its main thrust.
It is easy to think that what goes on in America stays in America, or better still affects only America. Africa and its leaders are notoriously known for their allergy to democracy and democratic principles. If truth be told, the threat of economic sanctions, threats of being ostracised from mainstream world forums and other soft power tactics have been used as antidote to address the continent’s political allergies. While some leaders have continued to treat their countries like family heirlooms, the majority has made strident efforts towards democratic governance. It is refreshing to see many African countries adopting the two-term Presidential term limits, even though I believe that it is useless in the absence of accountability. When Trump decides to go after his political opponents, populates his government positions with his cronies, acolytes, family members and party loyalists, when he takes unilateral decisions to engage in mass deportation of people without due process, when Trump defies court orders and does as he wishes, does that sound familiar? When he creates a blur among the three branches of government whereby they overlap seamlessly to accommodate his whims and caprices at every turn, you realize that the death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush, but by a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and political undernourishment (R.M.Hutchins)
Interestingly, Trump’s behaviour does not come as a surprise. Unlike some African leaders who behave like foxes that promise to become vegetarians during campaign seasons, Trump does exactly as he said on the tin. He is doing exactly as he promised during his campaigns. Why the surprise? What is surprising is the docility with which his Trumpocracy has been accommodated.  Liz Cheney once warned her Republican colleagues who were defending the indefensible during the January 6 hearings, “There will come a day when Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain”. While the Democrats are still licking their wounds from reality, their deafening silence from the trauma, though understandable, is slightly baffling. While some would see it as a political tactic to allow those who voted for Trump, in spite of all the “beware the ides of March” soothsaying from the democrats to reap what they sowed, the emerging sense of Schadenfreude is frightening. At face value, it feels like Trump has been given a blank cheque or carte blanche that some of us are unfortunately accustomed to in Africa.
So, who would rein in our leaders, if they stray from democratic principles?
While Africa boasts of its sad monopoly to the longest serving leaders ranging between 30 to 40