Corruption

 

     Corruption, like free press, is related to the rest of the issues facing Africa. If the people cannot trust their authorities and the authorities abuse their power for profit, issues like electoral transparency, environmental protection, human rights, and poverty will remain unresolved. 

     In this respect, the situation has remained relatively unchanged. Only Namibia, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Rwanda, and Mauritius score above a failing grade for government integrity. Leaders frequently retain power for life: the "president" of Uganda has been in office for 35 years. Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, and Equatorial Guinea are among the ten most corrupt nations on Earth.

     Other nations devastated by war and famine are only moderately better. Even when power transitions from one leader to another, as occurred in The Gambia in 2017, the legislatures often remain unchanged. Namibia's dominating political party has been in power for 30 years.

     All but a few Middle Eastern and Asian nations beat out all but a few nations in terms of corruption: change needs to be made. If pressure is not more ardently applied from the outside world, the leaders will not change and the cycle of rebellion and devastating war will be perpetuated.

     Learn more here.