Kofi Annan slams ‘winner-takes-all’ syndrome

Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, is expected to make a strong case against the “winner-takes-all” syndrome in African politics.

According to the Kofi Annan Foundation’s website, the former UN Boss, who is billed to deliver the third annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture Monday at the University of Western Cape, South Africa, will urge Africans to shun the zero sum approach to politics.


“We must turn our backs on the ‘winner-takes-all’ approach to politics which has been so damaging to our continent,” Mr. Annan will argue in his keynote address.


He will put forth strongly that the zero sum approach has been the bane of Africa.


“We have seen how this has led to abuses of power by the winner and encouraged losers to reject democracy as a peaceful means for change,” he is expected to say.

He will also ask African leaders to improve electoral integrity on the Continent.


Mr. Annan will say that elections in Africa “…must be based on the democratic principles of universal suffrage and political equality, and must be professional, impartial, and transparent in its preparation and throughout the electoral cycle”.


“When conducted with integrity, elections bolster democracy, promote development, and produce governments which are more likely to represent their citizen’s interests”, he will say.


“Sadly, elections in Africa can become a trigger for conflict rather than a peaceful way to regulate competition for political power,” he will add.