THE expressed desire of Robert Mugabe to contest the next presidential election in Zimbabwe typifies the trouble with governance in Africa. The problem of democracy in Africa is multi-faceted. When it is not bad governance, it is authoritarianism and dictatorship. Even when written constitutions have been adopted to regulate political behaviour, many African leaders are tempted to perpetuate themselves in office by using their party machinery to subvert the very basic instruments they swore to uphold and defend. In other cases, there is the phenomenon of sit-tight leaders where Africa leads the world in the number of rulers who simply refuse to hand over power to anyone except when they are abruptly removed by force or, as reluctant mortals, they die. The result is that the worst examples of practically everything are to be found in Africa, from poverty to disease to ignorance; from the lack of basic infrastructure to the utter neglect of the people; from unbridled corruption to the rule of impunity and a disdain for the rule of law. Lacking in common decency, many African leaders have subjected the continent to ridicule.It is in the light of these grave shortcomings of African leadership that we view with concern the recent pronouncements of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to the effect that he is contemplating running for office next year when he would be 88 years old. Speaking at a party conference of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, he pleaded with party members to continue in their unwavering support of his leadership and to be grateful that his very long life had enabled them to be shielded from the machinations of marauding imperialists. He continued, 'I am lucky God has given me this longer life than others to be with you. I cannot let you down. I cannot leave you on your own.' His party members have endorsed him as their presidential candidate for elections now scheduled for next year.It will be recalled that following a bloody and disputed election, a power-sharing arrangement was devised in September 2008 whereby Robert Mugabe of ZANU-PF retained the title of President whilst his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) became the Prime Minister. This arrangement has in fact stabilised the nation with economic indices on the rebound. But Mugabe at every opportunity has made no secret of his dislike for power sharing. An election is not due until 2013 but he wants it brought forward to 2012 perhaps out of concern for his failing health. Should he win that election, as is likely, he will be an almost improbable 93 at the end of his next five-year term.Mugabe, who did good things for his people in the years following his emergence from guerrilla warfare, has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980. During his time, his country has seen wide fluctuations in education and the standard of living. Once known as the bread basket of Africa, Zimbabwe can no longer feed itself. Indeed millions unable to find work or education in Zimbabwe have fled to neighbouring South Africa. His controversial land reforms have ended up becoming a tool of favouritism as is the proceeds from diamond mining. His stout opposition to imperialism and neo-colonialism is instructive, but his crusade for power in perpetuity must not be pursued to the utter neglect of the needs of his own people. Mugabe's best years are behind him. After 31 years of continuous rule, he has little new to offer. He ought by now to be giving way to others. It is sad that he has apparently failed to groom a successor. This is the typical behaviour of many African leaders. With no succession plans, their countries become vulnerable to violent upheavals when once they are no longer around.The prolonged rule of one man, even when benevolent, is injurious to the health of a nation. Democracy thrives on regenerative change and all those leaders who resist change do ultimate damage to themselves and their people.The time has come for Robert Mugabe to take a bow and lead from behind. His contemporaries in Namibia, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa have all changed their leaderships, leaving only him, like a relic, on the political scene. At 87, we can safely assume that he has become set in his ways and can no longer be a change agent. His messianic pretensions can only exacerbate a bad situation.The adulating ZANU-PF members who have just endorsed him to represent them at 88 must reflect on their future and be bold enough to confront him with the unpleasant truth that the time for change is now. This is a duty they owe to the people of Zimbabwe regardless of party politics.
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