This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
As Burundi concludes its presidential election, the country's new leader has pledged to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pierre Nkurunziza. This is a worrying sign for the long-suffering people of Burundi, who have endured years of harassment of the opposition, journalists, and civil society under Nkurunziza's regime.
During Nkurunziza's presidency, the country expelled global news networks and closed a UN human rights office, sparking fears of widespread state violence under a news blackout. There were also reports of summary executions, and the country even expelled World Health Organization staff for raising concerns over the government's handling of the Covid-19 outbreak.
These are not the kind of actions that should be emulated by any leader. In Kenya, we have our own struggles with corruption, which has survived the change of government from Moi to Mwai Kibaki and continues to thrive under Uhuru and Ruto. Despite efforts by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, corruption always finds new loopholes to exploit.
Malawi is also undergoing a re-run of a presidential election, but it's unlikely that the winner will bring about significant change in ending corruption and inefficiency. In Mali, protesters have taken to the streets to demand the ouster of President Ibrahim Keita, accusing him of corruption and ineffectual stewardship.
It's a cycle of corruption that seems to repeat itself in many African countries. We wave party flags and wear T-shirts with portraits of our party leaders, but we rarely vote for candidates based on their integrity, commitment to ideals, or history of exemplary performance.
And yet, we become angry when those we elect turn out to be like the ones we voted out. Elections are a cyclical ritual that takes us nowhere. It's time for a change.
Tee Ngugi is a Nairobi-based political commentator.
