Demonstrations Drive African Leaders Crazy

Some African leaders are going berserk because of demonstrations that are sweeping through their countries. Even in countries such as Malawi and Senegal where the leaders can be said to be far more democratic than leaders in countries such as Zimbabwe and Cameroon, these demonstrations have rekindled dictatorial tendencies. In Malawi, "authorities initially refused" to grant permission for the funeral of some slain demonstrators to go ahead. In Senegal, the president has banned demonstrations. Leaders of these countries seem to have no better way of controlling their people than resorting to bans. However, banning demonstrations is hardly a democratic practice. Perhaps African leaders in hitherto fairly democratic countries are beginning to return to their former selves - their dictatorial selves.