LONG YEARS OF REIGN BY AFRICAN LEADERS; AFRICAN UNION MUST MAKE A STAND.
Moving round the continent of Africa, it is really surprising when you see what African leaders do to stay in power. In Rwanda, Paul Kagame will stay in power till 2034 via a referendum held in Rwanda. Dennis Sassou Ngueso in the Republic of Congo will run again till 2016 after being in power for 31years. Yaweri Museveni of Uganda after ruling for 30yrs is running again since the term limit were scrapped by the parliament since 2015. Pierre Nkuruziza announced to run for another term violating the peace agreement that ended the war in Burundi between the Tutsis and Hutsis the 2 major tribes that dominates Burundi. It would have been better if these African leaders, continuous stay in Power is beneficial to the country either through the economy or the structural development of the country. Robert Mugabe, who has been in power in Zimbabwe for many years has made little or no impact on the currency value of Zimbabwe, yet he remains in power.
In Burundi, crisis looms as the incumbent President believes he is entitled to rule for another term, even though the people he is supposed to govern has in many ways shows their displeasure. The failed coup de’tat was a vivid example of the way the people showed their displeasure when the issue of another term began. This indeed Has has brought a lot of concern to the international African community who suggested the need for the African peacekeeping force in Burundi and which the incumbent president vehemently refused. The African Union was concerned about the tension in Burundi which from experience knew may escalate to war within a short period of time.
It is important to say that most African countries under this forcefully prolong reign has one internal conflict or the other to deal with, which on many occasions is due to refusal to leave power by their leaders which on many occasions will lead to internal conflict and strife in the region. History has been taught for many to learn from their past, yet we have refused as Africans to follow the path of dignity and justice. How many dictators have ever left the seat of power with respect. Late Gadaffi of Libya?, Hosni Mubarak?, former President of Ivory Coast former president Gbagbo. African leaders are still following this path of destruction which many have followed and have failed, hence the need for the African Union to intervene in matters of this nature where leaders uses might I mean the power invested in the people to subdue the people.
The inability of these African leaders to correct or alleviate the suffering of the people is a great cause for concern and rather than to give solution to alleviate the economic woes of the people they compound the problem by forcing their stay in power through violence and Threats. It is high time the African union rose to the occasion to stop this madness in the African continent. The looming crisis in Burundi is an opportunity for the African force to make a statement to all African leaders when it comes to the issue of term elongation that such will not be tolerated no matter who ox is gored. Though the sovereignty of Burundi is paramount, but when it comes to tampering with the people and causing violence against the people, the African force needs to avoid unwarranted death in the African continent.
However, the constitution of the African force is the contribution of soldiers from African countries which include the soldiers of this term elongation state which will make it difficult for them to make their decision, but a total condemnation of this action by African leaders in its entirety is a good beginning to stop this act in the African continent. The silence of the African Union on matters like this is a sign support for this impunity which must stop by their statement and action.
Elongating the presidential tenure is an act of impunity, a breach of the fundamental rights of the citizens of that state which the African leaders must fight against uniformly showing their displeasure and contentment against such regime.
