Tribal politics: An enemy of democracy

My name is Consolata Akinyi. I’m a Kenyan and witness to tribal bigotry--a witness to all that can go wrong if tribalism mixes with politics. I have been a witness to how politicians desperately in search of power can use what divides us to destroy us.

I have a story, advice, an appeal and a suggestion to my Ghanaian friends—friends who blur the borders that divide our continent. It is simple; say no to tribal politics.

Issues concerning Africa cannot be discussed without mentioning tribes. This is primarily because it is part of what defines us as Africans.

The different cultures out of which we derive different languages, food, clothing styles and the rest make the African boast of his or her culture as rich. Unfortunately, the blessing of diversity can become a curse when it is abused. Tribal politics is one way by which our diversity as Africans has been used as a tool for our own destruction.
Tribal politics and comments

As a Kenyan, I have treaded this path. From experience, I think the mother of tribal politics is ‘tribal comments’.

They give birth to self-centredness, metamorphose into hatred for the ‘other’ and nurture the desire to annihilate the ‘other’.

This was exactly what transpired in Kenya. As peaceful as we thought we were as a nation, the post-election violence from 2007-2008, necessitated an appraisal of our former view of ourselves as a peaceful nation.

Tribal comments from various politicians during the election campaigns divided the nation into two parties: Party of National Unity (PNU) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). While the Kukuyua tribe sided with PNU, tribes like Luyah, Luo, Kamba, Kalenjin, Meru and others supported ODM.

Moreover, the foundation for tribal politics which had already been laid by tribal comments during the election campaign escalated into something more horrendous when Kibaki, the PNU presidential candidate, was declared a winner.

Allegations of vote rigging provoked the other tribes who supported the opposition party to take to the streets to demonstrate and show their displeasure with the outcome of the elections.

Since passions of tribal politics had already been inflamed, it resulted in a civil war, where tribes fought against other tribes.

Consequently, many lives were lost, and those who could not stand the war fled to other neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Tanzania. Even now, there are Kenyans who still live in internally displaced peoples centres because of what transpired.

History must not only be recounted, it must be allowed to direct the future positively. It must be indicated, however, that such possibility can only become a reality when we learn from our history and others. I opine that the nation Ghana can learn from our mistake during this critical stage of her life.

Living in Ghana for these few months, I continue to relive those atrocious memories of the past in my mind. I wake up and go to bed hearing some of the comments that instigated civil war in Kenya. In light of this, I humbly appeal to Ghanaians to help avert a possible danger that can threaten the security of this dear nation.

Campaign against tribal politics

To remedy the malady of tribal politics, a holistic approach is proposed, taking into consideration all stakeholders. Leaders, firstly, must make it a priority to lead the campaign against tribal politics. Their seriousness or sluggishness in how the issue is tackled can exterminate or aggravate the problem.

Again, the media have the responsibility of making sure that they are very circumspect in their reportage. It is not every inciting speech that must be aired, no matter how ‘exciting’ it makes the programme to be. This is important because the inconsequential pleasures derived from such ‘excitements’ cannot be compared to the problems associated with incitement.

Every citizen must understand that freedom of speech can lead to loss of freedom when it is abused. This is because freedom of speech cannot guarantee freedom after speech. It is better to give up your freedom to speak than allow it take away your freedom. So the citizenry must encourage seasoned speeches from homes to the streets.

Finally, we must encourage unity in diversity. The strength of every nation is how united her people are. Our diversity must not be used as a tool to bring about adversities in the country.

Rather, it should help us see each tribe as unique and learn from each other. When we see each other as unique, the sense of superiority, which accompanies tribalism, will be destroyed so as to keep ourselves as one people. Ghana is not lost yet, so she can be saved. But her salvation is in our hands.