In the wake of the protests in Egypt and other countries in Western Asia, Hosni Mubarak and the president of Yemen have pledged not to run again. It remains to be seen whether the protesters of these countries would see this pledge as good enough. However, this is a pledge that many African leaders, some of whom have been in power for over twenty years, will do well to emulate. Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has already pledged to run only for one term. This may be a political ploy, like Museveni did, but he would be held to it when the time comes. Other leaders who should immediately pledge not to run again should include Obiang Nguema, Blaise Compaore, Paul Biya, Museveni, Mugabe, etc. Such a pledge, or better still, a constitutional limitation of term of office, would have gone a long way to save Ivory Coast, that is, if such limitation was respected. Paul Biya amended the constitution so that he may run again!
2 comments:
I agree that constitutional limits should be placed on office terms. Also, other checks should be placed on these governments so that the leaders cannot amend the law to their own liking. Dictators are very unlikely to give up their position and leaders who vow to not run again make me wonder why they ran for office in the first place.
I think it will be very interesting to see if the pledge is upheld after their terms are over. I do no think that protesters are willing to just take his word that he will not run again, especially after all of the violence has occurred between protesters and supporters.
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