Democracy in Africa: A one step forward, two steps backward policy

Better known as a historian than novelist and playwright, the Nigerienne Andre Salifou, just like the Nigerian Chinua Achebe, the Ghanaian Ayi Kwei Armah and the Kenyan Ngugi Wa Thiong'O, used history to develop the various topics evoked in his novel entitled La valse des vautours  (The Waltz of the Vultures). If the colonizer stressed the domination and systematic exploitation of various African resources and potentialities, the new leaders of independent Africa have excelled in illicit enrichment, preferential treatment and abuse of power. Through precursory stories, Andre Salifou has skillfully denounced the unhealthy practices of the new African political class after the independence. The new democratic wave having swept the African nations, the new African leaders have difficulties adapting themselves to it for the common interest of their compatriots and their nations. Key words: History, ill / good governance, democracy, Africa, politics.