By Mike TrapidoThought Leader
June 15, 2009
The biggest stumbling block in post-colonial Africa’s progress towards democracy has been the steadfast refusal of its dictators to relinquish power. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that should they be forced to relinquish power they are, more likely than not, going to be facing charges of genocide, crimes against humanity or a multitude other unspeakable acts which they perpetrated during their rule.
South African President Jacob Zuma in discussion with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the World Economic Forum confirmed that immunity would be the way to ease Africa out of its dictators.
“The world has changed, therefore let us do things differently and not emphasise punishment. If you are saying: ‘Okay move out, but tomorrow we will deal with you,’ then you are causing a problem with somebody saying: ‘Why should I leave when I still have power? I had better remain here.’
“The leadership of Africa today must come very boldly and deal with these issues. It’s not for our sake as leaders, it’s for the sake or our people, for the sake of our continent,” Zuma said.
In a perfect world I would be right up there with the rest of those who would seek justice for the victims of these monsters but as we have seen time and again, they are not only going unpunished but cling to power which makes a bad situation infinitely worse.
This results in the people of countries like Zimbabwe having their own security forces act as hostage takers owing loyalty to the dictator concerned and not the people.
The world in its turn then sanctions the country concerned which occasions untold suffering and hardship for the people while the elite ponder their fate — in the lap of luxury of course — for years.
Zuma is suggesting a get-out-of-jail-free card in order to expedite the transfer of power in these situations.
Subject to it being a once-off offer never to be repeated it is definitely the lesser of two evils. Rather the thugs walk free than entire populations starve while the planet plays the politics of expedience.
Trust me that is what the starving majority in those countries would want.
Related Materials:
Immunity for dictators?
A way out for dictators?
Zuma was not talking about Zimbabwe in particular. He was talking directly to the dictator sitting in front of him. That dictator is Paul Kagame who has more blood on his hands than Hitler. So, he wanted to see if Kagame understands that democracy must take its course. Knowing Kagame's intelligence or lack thereof, this all probably went over his head. Kagame is a bigger dictator than Mugabe. He has been in power for 15 years and freedom of speech and press is better in Zimbabwe than it is in Rwanda.
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