This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
Published on November 25, 2019, by Kaltum Guyo, a renowned author, this article delves into the phenomenon of African leaders who refuse to relinquish power, leaving their countries in shambles.
Former US President Jimmy Carter's dedication to building houses for the poor at the age of 95 is a stark contrast to the behavior of many African leaders who hold on to power for dear life.
Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria are notable exceptions, having worked tirelessly to advance good governance in Africa.
However, the likes of Paul Biya of Cameroon, who has been in power for over 40 years, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who has used intimidation to maintain his grip on power, are a far cry from these leaders.
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Kenya, which aims to change the Constitution to benefit President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has raised concerns about the potential for dictatorship.
As the author astutely observes, 'If a leader has not succeeded in emancipating his people economically in the 50 years of his rule, what new magic wand does he have to do it in five years of rolling dictatorship?'
The article also highlights the tragic fate of many African leaders who have been ousted from power, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair.
From the crumbling villa of Idi Amin in Uganda to the marble-and-gold palatial home of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, these leaders have left a lasting legacy of agony and ruin.
As the author notes, 'Sometimes one is forgiven to think all the psychopaths were packed together and sent to Africa to lead.'
Dr. Robert Hare's Psychopathic Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) test, which diagnoses psychopaths based on 20 checklists, including superficial charm and lack of empathy, raises important questions about the nature of leadership in Africa.
Finally, the article concludes with a poignant quote from former US President Barack Obama, 'There's nothing weak about kindness and compassion. There's nothing weak about looking out for others.'
