Why Africa Should Embrace ‘communocracy’ Over Western Democracy – Prof. Kouassi

by Igbotako Nowinta

Ekpoma, Edo State – A leading African scholar of peace and conflict studies, Professor Cyrille Dalex Ngamen Kouassi, has called for a fundamental rethink of Africa’s political trajectory, arguing that the continent should embrace what he describes as “communocracy.”

According to him, communocracy as an indigenous governance philosophy rooted in African communal values it is a more sustainable pathway to peace, unity and development than the Western model of democracy.

Professor Kouassi, who is the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies and Director of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Glorious Vision University (GVU), Ogwa, Edo State, made the call while delivering the lead lecture at an international conference on “Leadership, Democracy and Peace Building in Nigeria” held on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Conference Centre of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

Addressing scholars, policymakers, researchers and students from within and outside Nigeria, the renowned philosopher argued that more than six decades after independence, many African nations continue to grapple with political instability, violent conflicts, weak institutions and underdevelopment despite widespread adoption of Western democratic systems.

According to him, the challenge confronting post-colonial Africa is not simply one of leadership but of adopting political structures that, in his view, are disconnected from the continent’s historical realities and socio-cultural foundations.

He observed that Africa comprises more than 3,000 ethnic groups, over 2,000 languages and 55 sovereign states, yet continues to experience persistent crises that have undermined sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.

“The fundamental difference between the socio-political organisation of the West and that of Africa has not been sufficiently appreciated,” he said.

Professor Kouassi argued that Africa’s traditional communal governance model—what he termed “communocracy”—offers a more authentic framework for nation-building because it reflects African identity, values and collective responsibility.

“It is a fact that Western democracy has denied Africa her identity, personality and self-respect and therefore can no longer guarantee genuine and lasting peace and development on African soil,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the African philosophy of Ubuntu, he maintained that communocracy is anchored on the principle that “I am because we are,” stressing that communal responsibility, consensus-building and collective ownership remain central to Africa’s traditional governance culture.

He further contended that communocracy incorporates the positive elements commonly associated with liberal democracy—including participation, accountability and representation—while preserving Africa’s cultural identity and indigenous political philosophy.

Describing the concept as “a viable gateway to genuine peace-building mechanisms,” the professor maintained that African nations should no longer rely exclusively on imported political models but should instead develop governance systems that reflect their own historical experiences and cultural realities.

Questioning the democratic journey of many African states, Professor Ngamen Kouassi cited countries including Libya, Sudan, Mali, Niger, Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Tunisia, Algeria, Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire as examples where democratic transitions have coincided with prolonged political instability, insecurity or violent conflict.

He argued that these developments raise important questions about whether democratic institutions transplanted from Western societies can adequately address Africa’s unique socio-political complexities.

“The fact that democracy has been widely embraced across post-colonial Africa has not translated into significant improvements in the socio-economic conditions of many citizens. That should compel us to interrogate our assumptions and rethink our political direction,” he said.

While acknowledging that democracy is widely regarded as one of humanity’s most successful systems of government, the peace scholar insisted that no political model should be transplanted wholesale from one civilization to another without adapting it to local realities.

He maintained that Africa’s pre-colonial governance traditions possessed enduring mechanisms for conflict resolution, consensus-building and communal harmony, adding that these indigenous values deserve renewed scholarly attention.

Professor Kouassi therefore called for what he described as the “re-decolonisation” of Africa’s political and cultural mindset, urging governments, academics and policy thinkers to begin serious conversations on evolving governance models that are authentically African.

“Africa must wake up and redefine herself. Peace, unity and development are intergenerational responsibilities, and our governance structures must reflect who we are as a people,” he concluded.

The international conference was organised by McMaster University, Canada, in collaboration with the Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Professor Mrs. Eunice E. Omozejie, served as Chief Host, while Professor Bonny Ibhawoh of McMaster University delivered the keynote address.

Other participants included the Acting Head of the Department of History and International Studies, Dr. B. U. Okobosun, Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, Professor B. E. Oseghale, Secretary to the Organizing Committee and International Conference Correspondence, Dr Okhiku Idonije, academics, researchers and hundreds of students.

The three-day conference will examine a wide range of contemporary issues under the broad themes of leadership, democracy, nation-building, sustainable development, security challenges and peacebuilding in Nigeria and across Africa, with participants calling for innovative approaches to addressing the continent’s governance and development challenges.