Africa's First Democrats challenges several stereotypes about the workings and growth of democracy on the African continent. More than that, Africa's First Democrats opens up space for a broader rereading of African history and holds the possibility for a more extensive anti-racist and anti-colonial project that has long animated pan-African politics across the globe.
Joshua Inwood, Pennsylvania State University
Politcal Geography
Abdi Samatar's book Africa's First Democrats is of significance to geographical studies of Africa for three main reasons: (i) its decolonial approach; (ii) its dissection of democratic political leadership and political parties; (iii) its documentation of a historical period in Somalia, when political leaders advocated a vision of a united Somalia that transcended contemporary representation of the country as a 'failed state' wracked by atavistic tribalism.
Patricia Daley, Oxford University
Political Geography
This study is important because it draws attention to the gamut of stereotypes and wisdoms espoused by critics of African leaders. . . . We all must salute Samatar for his courage to exonerate a couple of African leaders from the court of academic vilification.
American Historical Review
Going beyond postcolonial analysis, decolonization encourages re-thinking the world from Africa, from Latin America, from indigenous places, and from marginalized academia. Samatar's book does precisely this, rethinking our concepts of statehood, democracy and leadership from Africa, and from Somalia particularly.
Sarah Radcliffe, Cambridge University
Political Geography
Excellent.13 2014
African and Asian Studies