Stop harassing former PresidentsDear Editor,THE tendency by new ruling parties or new Presidents in Africa to persecute their predecessors is extremely retrogressive.There is a pattern that has emerged where new Presidents engage in trashing the legacy of their predecessors, accuse them of massive acts of corruption, and prosecute them while seeking to consolidate their new power gained.For any students of history, you immediately recognise that this is a well-trodden path – burn and destroy the legacy of your predecessor and rise on their ashes!We have seen this tendency in the sub-region where former Presidents have been targeted, nations have been divided, supporters pitted against one another in the name of fighting corruption.What this does is to scare leaders to leave office when their terms come to an end. We have seen in Africa where Presidents begin to engage in processes intended to unconstitutionally extend their terms, fearing what would happen if they left office.Off course […]
Stop harassing former Presidents
