The African Puzzle

President Paul Kagame. Credit: ITU/J.Ohle

 Morgan Tsvangirai Credit:  zimnews.net

The past week has been an exciting spectacle on the African political scene. Rwanda saw Paul Kagame sweep to victory in a widely expected outcome. The Kenyan elections also came with the usual noise and violence that has become the norm, each time the country goes to the polls. Jacob Zuma survived yet another attempt by parliament to vote him out of office. On the home front, I watched with glee and disgust as the opposition in Zimbabwe continued to tussle each other on who is to lead their so called "grand coalition." Zanu Pf on the other hand still at crossroads after the hilarious shows by Grace and Bob at their youth rallies, continues to grab the headlines.

Paul Kagame's near perfect re-election with a 99% vote, did not come as a surprise after his hugely attended last rally. What boggles the mind is where then is the opposition in Rwanda if any exists or is Kagame that much of a good leader that only a percentage of the population is not in his support. Writing for African Arguments Former Chief of Staff in President Kagame’s office Theogene Rudasingwa wrote that: " The costly sham elections had been preceded by a constitutional referendum in 2015. In that vote, 98% approved changes that allow Kagame, in power since 1994, to be president until 2034."

If Kagame is to rule till 2034, it would just be another African country doing what others have done before and are still doing.

At 94 Mugabe is still eager to run for office in Zimbabwe. Zim has way more capable people than him to run the country. But even the opposition it it’s cracked up way has failed to dislodge Zanu Pf. They too have altered the constitution in favour of appointments of cadres loyal to the regime. Kagame’s victory and the uncanny support from the West would guarantee him the chance to rule till 2034. My only hope is unlike Mugabe, may he not run down the country that has rose from the ashes and groom a successor or care to resign if in the coming years opposition can grow and compete in free and fair elections.

In Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta received over 55% of the vote resulting in his re-election. The opposition has cried foul citing digital fraud and hacking of the electoral system.  Just like the MDC-T the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) always cites rigging without looking at its own faults upon losing an election. Raila Odinga was the ODM’s candidate on two consecutive elections in Kenya. In Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai has been at the helm of the MDC T since it was formed. Both Odinga and Tsvangirai have been Prime Ministers of their respective countries after contested elections. With elections in 2018 an ailing Tsvangirai similar to an ailing Mugabe once to run once more for President this time under the guise of a “grand coalition.” Its high time opposition leaders in Africa stop being cry-babies and acting just like the incumbents they want to remove. They should advocate leadership renewal in their own parties, only then can we see ruling parties being toppled by the opposition.

Lastly, kudos to Jacob Zuma and the ANC for winning the no vote poll in the SA parliament. With the ANC having just turned 105 the comrades stood by each other and made sure Zuma stays in power. This is what liberation war movements cadres do, the young African opposition should take a cure from this and adopt such tactics and maybe then will opposition parties in Africa solve our political puzzle. Signing out GenerationX18