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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2009 : 17:49:58
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Culled from The Daily News
Constitutional Change of Governments Is Beautiful
Africa has for a long time suffered from set backs as a result of its undemocratic changes of governments. These are done through coups and rebellions against democratically elected governments.
It has not only taken this giant continent backward politically but has equally taken Africa economically backward. Many a times the forces that topple governments do not make much difference with the ones that were forced out of office. The reasons advanced for most of the earlier coups in Africa were that of corruption and nepotism.
The reasons of the coups of the 1960s, 70s and parts of the 80s which brought down many African governments were all pegged on corruption and nepotism. Those coups saw the fall of the Abubacrr Tarawa Balewos of Nigeria, the Obotes of Uganda, the William Tolberts of Liberia and many others. Since then this continent lost its stability, and became one of the most unstable continents with numerous coups. Many a times these coups completely plunged the countries into irresolvable crisis, like the ones we had in Sieeraleone Liberia Uganda and Ivory Coast just to name a few examples.
Now let us look at what is happening in Guinea Conakry. The military under the leadership of Musa Daddis Camara who seized power whiles the former President Conteh was lying dead, told the world that he and his junta were not interested in power, rather they would either go back to the land or the barracks. He made it clear that they are not going to contest the elections, just like many others before them. Unfortunately it appears that that position of the junta is already being swept under the carpet. The leader of the junta has begun asking if he is not a Guinean to contest elections? That is something hard to understand.
The African military should take lessons from the west. These are countries where no one has ever heard of a coup.Why? It should be the business of us the Africans to find out why there are no coups in UK or the USA.It does not mean that Africans should see everything wrong with the UK-or the USA,no! we should borrow some very positives things from them if need be.
I was watching the burial of Senator Edward Kennedy on TV, the 77 year old Senator who is also the last of the Kennedy dynasty and found it amazing to have seen three former American Presidents attend the burial. They are former President Jimmy Carter, former President Bill Clinton, and former President George W. Bush who were all changed through the ballot box. Is this not beautiful? Why can’t we have former presidents’ in our own countries? Would that not make things beautiful? Off course yes. Offices of former presidents are signs of good governance and democracy.
Look at what happened in Japan, there was a smooth transition from the ruling party to the opposition, a party that has dominated the politics of Japan for fifty unbroken years which came to an end peacefully without a shot being fired. Why can’t the African military keep to the barracks, and have a grip on our external security, rather than an eye on the Presidencies of their respective governments?
However all is not lost on the continent. There are countries that are exemplary, the likes of Senegal where there was never a coup. A country that has changed regimes from one party to another, and also from within the same party. A country where one can find former presidents. Nigeria is also another example likewise Ghana, Botswana and South Africa all these countries have former presidents, who have not lost power through coup detat but through elections.
African militaries must leave their sitting presidents in peace and that they must assert their responsibilities on the external securities of their nations as their constitutions allow them to do so. Change of governments must be left with the people, through elections as done in other parts of the world. Our militaries should keep to their barracks as that is where their place is. Presidential palaces are not for the military, unless when retired and genuinely contest for it. Like Amadou Tumani Touray commonly known as ATT of Mali. Therefore constitutional change of government is beautiful, so we must preserve it.
Source: The Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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