Kofi Annan Slams Sit Tight African Leaders

 

Former United Nations Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan

Former United Nations general secretary Kofi Annan has slammed African leaders who cling on to power for too long, saying they invite unnecessary coups, instead they......
should open up space for opposing views in order to enhance democracy on the continent.
Mr Annan said: "If a leader doesn't want to leave office, if a leader stays on for too long, and elections are seen as being gamed to suit a leader and he stays term after term after term, the tendency may be the only way to get him out is through a coup or people taking to the streets. Neither approach can be seen as an alternative to democracy, to elections or to parliamentary rule."

Some of the leaders who have perpetuated themselves in power include:
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza - 16yrs
Republic of Congo President Dennis Sassou Nguesso - 31yrs
Camerounian President Paul Biya - 33yrs
Equatorial Guinean President Tedoro Obiang Nguema - 37yrs
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni - 30yrs