{UAH} OLD MAN POLITICS: WHY IS TRANSITION OF POWER A PROBLEM IN

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POLICY

WHY IS TRANSITION OF POWER A PROBLEM IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Photograph — the epoch times

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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." – Abraham Lincoln

In Africa, smooth transition of power is seen as an achievement rather than the norm. Case in point, Nigeria's 2015 presidential elections. Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan became a celebrity of sorts and an ambassador for democracy, simply because he oversaw a smooth transition of government.

The idea of smooth transition of power as an abnormality plays itself out when we anticipate civil unrest during elections and after elections. The idea of change sweeps our mind first followed by the pungent idea to gear ourselves up for unrest. This kind of abnormality is fostered by men like Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

DRC didn't have an election because their supposed election which was to be held this year was cancelled on the grounds of inadequate funds. But this hasn't stopped the government from making significant but silent efforts to ensure a third term for Joseph Kabila is possible, contrary to the constitution. This is not the only rule it has broken as Joseph Kabila continues to stay in power after his tenure in office has ended, even when the constitution doesn't allow such.

Presently in DRC, heavily armed paramilitaries and policemen have filled the streets with their presence and football matches have been suspended to brace for violent protests and riots. In September 2016, over 60 people lost their lives after government forces shot into the crowd of protesters who called for Joseph Kabila to step down. It is possible that this will repeat itself.

In Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, soldiers in armoured vehicles have been deployed to strategic points in the city, while checkpoints have been put in place. This is to tell you that the government has started to prepare to wage a war against its citizens, by imposing fear on them and if fear doesn't work, it wouldn't hesitate to use force and shoot into crowds of protesters like it has done before.

The UN mission has redeployed some troops from peacekeeping operations in the east of the country, while the British and US embassies have withdrawn all non-essential staff and warned against all travel. The wealthy in DRC have all begun to flee for their lives to countries like South Africa.

But why do men like Joseph Kabila and the rest that have come before and after him taken this unnecessary route when it comes to holding on to power? Simple. Lust for power. Power is like hard drugs, only more addictive and more exhilarating, and lust for power births many vices that can all be fused into the word "privilege". This sought of privilege can be seen in President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, one of Africa's "Big Men", who has been in power for 30 years.

"This old man who has saved the country, how do you want him to go? How can I go out of a banana plantation I have planted that has started bearing fruits?" This is Museveni's logic.

What does it mean? It is obvious, he is there to eat the National cake and nothing more. The plantation is the presidency and the fruit is power.

In November, Joseph Kabila told a gathering of the parliament, "I cannot allow the republic to be taken hostage by a fringe of the political class," as members cheered. But in reality, Joseph and his conglomerate are the only class that has taken his country hostage.

For people that are addicted to power, giving it up might strip them of their self-esteem, so they hold on to it for as long as possible and through whatever means possible.

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