Jimmy Kainja, media office intern

The Economist is lauding Botswana as Africa’s leading example of democracy and good governance.

One can hardly argue against this observation given that Botswana is one of the few sub-Saharan African countries that has successfully changed presidents three times through the ballot, whilst experiencing economic growth at the same time.

And even though Botswana’s economic growth can be attributed to the fact that it is the world’s largest diamond producer, it’s telling that other mineral-wealthy countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo have failed to deliver. 

Yet Botswana has also been accused of lack of respect for human rights – in particular for the San people, its ‘Bushmen’. Accusations have been levelled that Botswana is forcing the San to abandon their traditional way of life as it seeks modernise society.

So does the San case prove that changing governments, or even presidents, via the ballot necessarily translate to full accountability to all citizens?

The Economist also observes that elections in sub Saharan Africa only change the elite; it says that since the dawn of democracy, no ruling party has lost elections in the region.

I recognise that you can argue the point – for example Ghana has recently successfully handed over power to the opposition following general elections. However, the EISA African elections calendar shows that across the region, of the 24 scheduled elections in sub Saharan Africa this year, not one has resulted in a change of government.

It appears that even successful democracies do not necessarily take care of their poorest people. Hence the continuing necessity for charitable organisations. Yet such organisations are continuously being forced to defend themselves against criticism of their work and also of the international aid system.

The most recent case is last Sunday’s Big Questions debate on BBC One. A question was raised about whether aid should still be given to India when the country is indulging in a space programme, which my colleague Jane Moyo blogged about on Monday.

It shows that India, the world’s largest democracy, has priorities other than assisting its poorest and most marginalised citizens, even though they number in the hundreds of millions.

Successful elections do not necessarily deliver successful governance, particularly for the poorest. More is needed and donors can help by ensuring that aid is delivered in a way that gives those most in need a real stake in how society is run.

Without this, will ‘developing’ countries ever get out of the poverty trap?

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