The loss of life of former Botswana president Festus Mogae ought to drive Africa into an uncomfortable however obligatory dialog: why does staying too lengthy in energy so usually finish badly on our continent?
Mogae belonged to a uncommon technology of African leaders who understood that management is short-term however establishments should endure. He served, ruled, and stepped apart. Botswana continued functioning. Its financial system didn’t collapse as a result of one man left workplace. Its democracy didn’t descend into chaos. Life moved on as a result of the nation was larger than the presidency.
That shouldn’t be extraordinary in Africa. But by some means it nonetheless is.
Throughout the continent, too many leaders have come to imagine — or have been made to imagine — that their departure from workplace would imply nationwide collapse. Now we have normalized presidencies that stretch for many years. Constitutions are rewritten. Time period limits disappear. Opposition voices are weakened. Total state techniques grow to be centered round defending one particular person as an alternative of serving tens of millions of residents.
Comply with us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the newest headlines
The result’s usually painfully predictable: financial stagnation, corruption, youth unemployment, institutional decay, repression, and ultimately instability.
Historical past has repeatedly proven that the longer leaders keep in workplace with out sturdy institutional checks, the higher the chance of nationwide decline. Political survival turns into extra necessary than financial reform. Loyalty is rewarded above competence. Governments grow to be insulated from strange residents. Buyers develop nervous about succession uncertainty. Younger folks lose hope in democratic participation as a result of outcomes start to really feel predetermined.
What makes this much more irritating is that Africa already has examples proving one other path is feasible.
Botswana, regardless of being dominated politically for many years by the Botswana Democratic Occasion, constructed a governance tradition the place establishments mattered greater than personalities. Management transitions remained orderly. Financial administration remained comparatively disciplined. Public confidence within the state endured as a result of energy was not handled as a lifetime entitlement.
Equally necessary was the instance set by Nelson Mandela.
After spending 27 years in jail, Mandela had each ethical justification conceivable to stay president longer. No African chief in trendy historical past possessed the identical degree of world admiration and home legitimacy. South Africans would possible have supported him for a lot of extra years. But he selected to depart after one time period.
That call was not weak point. It was statesmanship.
Mandela understood one thing many leaders nonetheless refuse to just accept: liberation credentials usually are not a clean cheque for everlasting rule. A frontrunner’s greatness is measured not by how tightly they maintain onto energy, however by whether or not democratic establishments survive past them.
For this reason Africa should start severely discussing one thing many contemplate politically uncomfortable — making retirement enticing for presidents.
Too many African leaders worry life after workplace. Some worry prosecution, humiliation, monetary wreck, or political revenge. Others worry turning into irrelevant. These fears encourage leaders to cling to workplace indefinitely, even when their international locations desperately want renewal.
Maybe the continent’s most cost-effective funding in stability can be to ensure former presidents dignified exits. Lavish pensions, state safety, healthcare, official residences, diplomatic roles, and nationwide respect could appear extreme to struggling taxpayers. However examine these prices to what nations lose when leaders refuse to step apart: sanctions, protests, capital flight, violent unrest, weakened currencies, and typically civil conflict.
The financial destruction brought on by one overstaying presidency can set a rustic again generations.
Africa should cease romanticizing leaders who by no means go away workplace. Robust nations usually are not constructed round everlasting rulers. They’re constructed round sturdy establishments, peaceable succession, and leaders assured sufficient to know when their time is up.
Festus Mogae’s legacy issues as a result of it reminds Africa {that a} president can go away energy and nonetheless retain dignity, respect, and relevance. Mandela’s legacy issues as a result of it proved that stepping down voluntarily can grow to be a frontrunner’s best hour.
Join free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the newest in African information delivered straight to your inbox
The continent doesn’t want presidents for all times. It wants techniques for all times.
————————-
Daniel Makokera is a renowed media character who has labored as journalist, tv anchor, producer and convention presenter for over 20 years. All through his profession as presenter and anchor, he has travelled broadly throughout the continent and held unique interviews with a few of Africa’s most illustrious leaders. These embody former UN Secretary Basic Kofi Annan, former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, former Libyan chief Muammar Gaddafi, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He at the moment is the CEO of Pamuzinda Productions based mostly in South Africa.