Africa should learn from Zenawi's death

By Eunice Musiime

THE death of Meles Zenawi, at such a time when Africa is yet to recover from the loss of the Ghanaian president John Atta Mills who died at the age of 68 and that of Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi at the age of 78 is a cause for serious reflection. 

So far, 20 African countries have lost a sitting presidents. These include: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria and Zambia. Gabon, Guinea and Nigeria have each lost two sitting presidents, bringing the total number of leaders who have died in office to 23. As the number of presidents who die in office increases, three major issues are emerging. 

First, democracies need clear term limits; second the continent demands more transparency regarding its leaders’ health; and third, successful democratic transitions require processes outlined in the constitution, that are understood and familiar to all. With these safeguards in place, the risks of administrative paralysis, political tension, internal conflict and instability that characterise many African countries could be mitigated. 

We find interesting differences with succession in western countries with that of Africa. Margaret Thatcher, when faced with the reality that her term as prime minister of Great Britain was drawing to a close, said; “But there was one more duty I had to perform, and that was to ensure that John Major was my successor. I wanted to believe that he was a man to secure and safeguard my legacy and to take our policies forward.” Thatcher succeeded in putting John Major at the 10 Downing Street. 

Equally the sudden death of John Kennedy created an unexpected and momentary leadership vacuum but not a crisis. 

While on the African continent, the case of Chiluba exemplifies the typical challenge of succession in African politics. Chiluba handpicked his own henchman who later prosecuted him for his crimes while in office. 

While in the western democracies leaders are concerned about a successor who will secure their legacy, in Africa, the concern sometimes is more about a successor who will protect them from prosecution. 

The writer is the programme coordinator with Uganda National NGO Forum