In October, another African president, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, engineered a referendum so he could seek another term. The ruler, who took office after a 1979 coup and has run the country during two periods, has spent
In October, another African president, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, engineered a referendum so he could seek another term. The ruler, who took office after a 1979 coup and has run the country during two periods, has spent a total of 31 years in power.
The referendum was marred by violence, but in the end voters agreed to end the limit of two consecutive presidential terms. Last Wednesday, the political opposition in the capital of Brazzaville vowed to challenge him in the March election.
Sassou-Nguesso is by no means the only African ruler clinging to power for a decade or more. President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi awarded himself a third term last year in the face of violence that is still simmering. Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s heavy-handed president, gave himself more years as well.
Other self-styled presidents-for-life include Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, in office since 1979 and one of the world’s richest men due to his country’s oil, and Paul Biya of Cameroon, in power since 1982 despite a slumbering economy and terroristic assaults on the nation by Boko Haram. Robert Mugabe has run Zimbabwe since 1980.
The perpetuation of longtime, often corrupt, African politicians cannot work to the benefit of their citizens. Even if the leaders are minimally competent, they usually offer no beneficial ideas for governance or policy. Their long rule also guarantees that the consolidation and cooperation needed by African nations are not likely to occur.
America’s policies toward these countries should be predicated on a healthy political system. Democracy and the changes of leadership that are part of it truly matter.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
