By Newton Jibunoh
IN the tumultuous history of Africa over
the last half-century, a recurring theme
has emerged — the battle between those
fighting for freedom and those craving
power. With over 30 interventions in the
governance of most African states and the
adoption of various political experiments,
including systems imported from France,
Britain, Germany, and the recent emula-
tion of the United States’ presidential
system, the result has often been a never-
ending cycle of leadership changes that
leave nations stagnant.
In my book “Hunger for Power,” I
eloquently describe the paradox of power.
“Power is like fire; it can keep you warm
and it can burn you. It can cook you a
meal or raze your house. It can purify your
gold or calcify a human being. Ensconced
deep within its core are elements of good
and evil. It all depends on the choices you
make when you handle it.” Unfortunately,
the insatiable appetite for power among
many African leaders has frequently led to
the continent’s backwardness.
There have been a few visionary politi-
cal leaders who recognized the detrimen-
tal impact of external influences on their
nations. These leaders sought to break
free from the shackles of foreign control.
However, these invaders, often orchestrat-
ing coups or wars, used divisive tactics to
turn the people against such leaders and
eliminate them.
One of these visionary leaders, Presi-
dent Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, empha-
sized the interconnectedness of African
nations during his Independence Day
speech when he declared, “The freedom of
Ghana is meaningless until the rest of the
continent is free.”
Kwame Nkrumah (1968). “Dark days
in Ghana”, Lawrence & Wishart. He also
foresaw the need to bridge the Sahara Des-
ert, stating, “The continent of Africa will
remain in darkness until the Sahara desert
is bridged.” Of course he didn’t mean an
actual construction of a bridge what he
meant was, Africa was one from East to
West, North to South therefore the Great
Sahara Desert should unite us and not
divide us. Remarkably, even after 50 years,
the Sahara remains one of the few active
deserts globally, despite the abundance of
valuable resources like clean and renew-
able energy, gold, diamonds, oil, and gas
awaiting exploration.
Our natural resources are being
siphoned off to foreign countries, leaving
African nations bereft of the wealth that
should be driving their development. The
situation contrasts sharply with the trans-
formation of China’s Gobi Desert into a
thriving agricultural hub, with settlements
and millions lifted out of poverty.
In my recent three part publication
of this series, “Before the Invaders and
Before the Occupancy,” I stated that the
root causes of Africa’s struggles are traced
back to the invaders and occupiers who
imposed their names, cultures, and norms
on African societies.
This forced assimilation stifled indig-
enous development, perpetuating a cycle
of perpetual catch-up that seems insur-
mountable.
Leaders like Patrice Lumumba, who
recognized these issues early, were either
killed or removed from power, often
replaced with puppet leaders incapable of effectively managing their nations.
Patrice Émery Lumumba was a Congolese
independence leader and the first Prime
Minister of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (formerly known as the
Republic of the Congo) gained indepen-
dence from Belgium in 1960. He played
a significant role in the country’s struggle
for independent, but his time in power
was short-lived, and he faced political tur-
moil and ultimately tragic circumstances.
Lumumba’s legacy is associated with his
fight for African independence and his
tragic assassination in 1961. Lumumba’s
case is but one example and here are a few
others.
Tragically, there have been several po-
litical leaders in Africa who were killed by
their own people or in internal conflicts.
Thomas Sankara, the President of
Burkina Faso, was assassinated in 1987
in a coup led by his close associate and
friend, Blaise Compaoré.
Muammar Gaddafi, the long-time ruler
of Libya, was killed in 2011 during the
Libyan Civil War by opposition forces.
Samora Machel, the first President of
Mozambique, died in a plane crash in
1986, which some suspect was caused by
foul play, although the exact circumstanc-
es remain disputed.
Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who succeeded
Mobutu Sese Seko as President of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, was
assassinated in 2001, leading to further
instability in the region.
These examples highlight the complex
and often turbulent political history of
Africa, where leaders have faced challeng-
es from within their own countries and
have sometimes met tragic ends due to
internal conflicts or power struggles. This
raises the question: Is it democracy that is failing Africa, or are African leaders simply
intoxicated by power?
In this ongoing struggle between free-
dom and power, the continent continues
to grapple with the legacy of colonization
and the challenge of forging a brighter,
self-determined future. It remains to be seen whether African nations can break
free from this cycle and truly harness their
potential for prosperity and progress.
Across the vast and diverse continent
of Africa, one common thread has marred
its progress and development over the
years: the unquenchable thirst for power
among its leaders. This insatiable appetite
for control has, more often than not, led
to a painful cycle of backwardness and
stagnation.
In many African nations, the pursuit of
power takes precedence over the genuine
desire to serve the people. Leaders often
prioritize personal gain and political
survival over the welfare of their citizens.
This prioritization of self-interest mani-
fests in various ways, all of which contrib-
ute to Africa’s struggles.
Economic Exploitation: One of the
most glaring consequences of power-hun-
gry leaders is the exploitation of a nation’s
valuable resources. Africa is rich in miner-
als, oil, gas, and fertile lands, but too often,
these assets are mismanaged or plundered
by corrupt regimes. Instead of benefiting
the population, these resources end up in
the hands of a privileged few, leaving the
majority in poverty.
The hunger for power fuels political
instability, frequent coups, civil wars, and
conflicts are often triggered by leaders
who refuse to relinquish their grip on
authority. These conflicts disrupt societies,
displace millions, and hinder any chance
of progress.
Genuine development and progress
become challenging when leaders focus
on consolidating power rather than imple-
menting policies that foster growth, Infra-
structure projects, education, healthcare,
and other essential services take a backseat
to the pursuit of political dominance.
The lust for power encourages a culture
of corruption and nepotism. Leaders often
appoint family members and loyalists to
key positions, regardless of their qualifica-
tions. This erodes the meritocracy needed
for a nation to thrive.
Power-hungry leaders frequently em-
ploy divisive tactics, such as tribalism or
ethnic favouritism, to maintain their hold
on power. This not only fractures societies
but also hinders unity and cooperation,
essential for progress.
Leaders driven by the desire for imme-
diate power often lack a long-term vision
for their nations. Policies are crafted for
short-term political gains, neglecting the
need for sustainable development.
Africa’s struggle with power-hungry
leaders is a complex issue, and there have
been exceptions where visionary leaders
have emerged. However, these exceptions
are often overshadowed by those who
prioritize their own interests over the
well-being of their nations.
To break free from this cycle of back-
wardness, Africa needs leaders who are
committed to genuine progress, transpar-
ency, and the welfare of their people. It
requires institutions that can hold leaders
accountable for their actions, and it de-
mands a collective effort from citizens to
demand better governance.
The continent’s potential is immense,
and with the right leadership, Africa can
overcome the shackles of power-driven
politics and finally realize the prosperity
and progress its people deserve.