The end of the cold war and the beginning of the 21^st century marked a crucial moment in the African continent when strings of military coups took the forefront of political affairs on the continent. Pro –democratic totalitarian governments were overthrown in many African nations and replaced by military governments and quasi-military governments that lack any form of international legitimacy and or recognition by the legitimate international community of nations. The major global norms after such military takeovers are condemnations and suspension of aid by powerful western nations, a frowning by the international community of nations and in some cases a lot of diplomatic wrangling pending a restoration of all democratic institutions of governance. 

The good questions that now arise are: How does such military governments legitimize within the international community of nations? Do some international players value human dignity before bonding and bridging with such cruel and inhumane leaders of modern times? Do the forces of globalization nurture the legitimization of such dictators? 

In response to the above questions, what is certain is that Military governments are often compelled and cornered to organize fraudulent elections under so call Independent Electoral Commissions that lay the stepping-stone to international recognition and legitimacy. However with the presence of transparent and principled international observers, most elections under such power hungry demagogues are woefully condemned as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult to democratic principles and norms. Such was the case in Ghana with Flight Lieutenant Rawlings and his Junta, in Nigeria under General Sani Abacha and other numerous military leaders, in Burkina Faso under Captain Blaise Campaore, in Mauritania under ousted Maod Oultaya, and the Gambia under Retired Lieutenant Yaya Jammeh to name a few. 

In spite of declaring victory for their junta transformed political party, the international community together with global financial donor institutions continues with sanctions and isolation resulting to such dictatorial governments turning to rogue nations for aid and other dubious means of consolidation. An example could be drawn to the purchase of deadly weapons from break away former Soviet republics taunted by economic turmoil and a battered standard of living. The former military and dictatorial regimes in Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and The Gambia were all living testaments to that validity. Menaces of deadly weapons from such former Soviet republics were therefore responsible for the dead of thousands of innocent West African citizens during the civil wars that ravaged Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Apart from relations with rogue nations, dictators not only turn to private institutions involved in dubious activities, but also elements of the Afro –American, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-European community as a means of buying legitimacy. What becomes troubling in the riding is a total disregard of all human rights abuses by not only private global business entities, but also elements of our very own Afro-Americans, Afro-Caribbean’s, and Afro-Europeans and their continual support for such dictators across the continent.  

During a Pan –African summit in the Ivorian capital a decade and a half ago when many African leaders and civil rights activist where in attendance at the Ivorian capital, the former Sierra-Leone military ruler Valentine Strasser who appeared in military fatigue in dark goggles was welcomed with applauses like a “rap-star” when the military junta that he led was slaughtering and butchering innocent citizens. Sadly none among the delegates mentioned such abuses as an action that contravenes what our great freedom fighters laid for us.   

It could be recalled that former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings who came to power through the barrel of the gun committed some of the worst forms of human rights abuses against Ghanaian citizens whilst in power as a Military man. However irrespective of such heinous crimes Rawlings was seen as a hero and therefore dined, wined and was embraced by elements of 21^st century global entities and institutions. Even the retired captain Blaise Campaore (current President of Burkina Faso) who not only murdered his own friend, but committed some of the worst forms of human rights abuses) was hailed and is still hailed by many in today’s changing 21^st century global communities. A disregard for human dignity by elements of the global community is a testament to this validity.  

In a similar development most African dictators are known to have hidden accounts and business investments under pseudo names with the help of International actors and mostly with the help of global players and the forces of globalization. Human rights abuses are given a total disregard and a complete blindness leaving innocent citizens at the mercy of outright bold and abstract dictatorship. An example could be drawn from Former Liberian leader Charles Ghanky Taylor who is now facing war crimes charges in an International Tribunal. Mr. Taylor who was the cause of a 15 years senseless war in Liberia is said to have valuable assets across not only the continental United States and Europe, but as far as the Caribbean. All was possible with the aid of International players whose only interest is siphoning wealth than upholding the fundamental universal value of human dignity.   

In the Gambia whilst human rights abuses continue to take shape in global affairs, President Jammeh’s relation with certain elements of Afro-American, Afro-European and the Afro-Caribbean community has become no hidden agenda at all. Whilst Journalist continue to be murdered, citizens tortured, with the unwillingness of the government to shed light on the disappearances, detentions incommunicado, the extra- judicial killings of members of the security and armed forces, the brutal murder of student demonstrators, the murder of 55 West African national including 44 Ghanaians, the murder of Journalist Deyda Hydra, and a former Finance secretary of state Ousman Koro Ceesay, the Jammeh government continue to score well with a US base Street basketball federation that most recently concluded a Miss Black USA contest.  

It was also not only startling to hear praises of the brutal Gambian dictator from the winner of Miss Black USA, but the latter’s relationship with a Miami base Haitian millionaire tycoon (who handles some multi-million dollar business investments for the dictator) has begun spreading like wild fire. What do all these portend in encouraging good governance and respect for civil liberties across the continent? Should blood money influence our moral conscience as humans? Should we be blissfully overcome by greed and the wanton disregard for human dignity? 

Taking a backdrop to the above questions, what is certain is that international players must not compromise human dignity and value with interest, but must use the fundamental respect of the great universal values of human rights as a condition of maintaining a positive relationship with dictators. The culture of greed and hunger for riches must not be allowed to overshadow such great universal values of human dignity. International players must therefore desist from engaging dictators and tyrants in ways that will encourage them to continue disrespecting, torturing and continually murdering innocent citizens.  
 

With the forces of globalization, the proliferation of private global business entities in countries under the umbrella of dictatorships has sprung rapidly. The universal norm of upholding human rights has in most cases been either totally disregarded or compromised with business interests. In other cases whilst citizens of such countries continue to be tortured, abused and extra-judicially executed, certain elements of our global communities continue to build ties with such ruthless dictators in an effort of satisfying selfish interests over human dignity and value. 

These are some of the challenges the African continent is facing. The degree of recognition and assistance military rulers enjoy as a result of the forces of globalization irrespective of systematic and widespread human rights abuses must be condemned in all fronts of the civilized world. It is about that time when the forces of globalization must continually be used in enforcing the universal recognition and respect for fundamental human rights than to lay the building block for totalitarianism and absurd brutality. 

World history must continue to be a lesson that humanity could draw conclusions and experiences from. Colonialism, slavery, the world wars and the catastrophic destruction of human life during the Balkan crisis, the Rwandan Genocide, the civil wars of Liberia and Sierra-Leone must be an eye opener for all and sundry. The bonding and bridging between the African continent and international players must no doubt be encouraged in all aspects. However bonding and bridging with tyrants and dictator’s that have a total disregard for inalienable universal human dignity must be unacceptable and condemned in all fronts. There is therefore no doubt that such relationships are only hypocritical and tantamount to irresponsible governance and a wanton destruction of societies under such ruthless leaders.

“NEVER HESITATE TO DRAW THE SWORD OF TRUTH FOR THE HELPLESS AND THE NEEDY”