“If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don’t ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
Quote
“If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don’t ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.”
Explanation
This quote by Nelson Mandela critiques the double standards in the way Western countries view the political processes of African and Asian nations. Mandela is highlighting the unequal scrutiny applied to countries in the Global South, especially those with a history of colonialism or oppression, in comparison to the more autonomous and privileged nations of the West, such as the United States and Britain. In this remark, he points out the hypocrisy of Western nations that, while often positioning themselves as champions of democracy and human rights, tend to question the legitimacy of electoral processes in former colonies or developing nations, particularly in Africa or Asia. By contrast, these same nations would rarely extend the same invitation for external observation to their own elections.
Historically, this quote can be understood in the context of the post-apartheid period in South Africa, where Mandela and the newly democratic South African government were striving to prove their credibility on the world stage. When South Africa held its first multiracial elections in 1994, international observers were invited to monitor the process, reflecting global concerns about the legitimacy of the election. Mandela’s statement reflects his frustration with the international community’s bias—countries that had once imposed oppressive regimes or supported apartheid were now the ones sending observers, a reminder of their historical role in shaping Africa’s political landscape.
In modern times, this quote touches on broader discussions about neocolonialism and international relations, where developed countries often impose their standards of governance and democracy on other nations, even while facing domestic challenges to their own political systems. The idea of foreign electoral observation remains contentious in some parts of the world, with critics arguing that it reflects a form of Western imperialism or a lack of trust in local systems. Mandela’s words continue to be relevant in discussions of sovereignty, self-determination, and the dynamics of global politics, reminding us of the need for a more equal and respectful approach to international relations and political development.
