It is a new week in Africa. But the usual concerns of peace, security and development in many countries remain. In some countries, the tussle for political power is heating up the polity. Some African nations seem to have quietly resolved their own contests. In Angola, for instance, the MPLA leadership has successfully passed on the baton to a younger leader. But as the East Africans would say, it is not yet uhuru.
Yes, it is really not yet uhuru because Kenya, where the word uhuru originated from, is yet to resolve its own political leadership crisis. The opposition leader, Raila Odinga, wants to grab the presidency. But the incumbent leader, Uhuru Kenyata, feels very strongly that he has done enough in his first tenure to deserve a second term as president.The first round of the presidential ballot was held last August. The electoral umpire gave it to the seating president. But the opposition protested. And for the first time in Africa, the country’s apex court ruled in favour of the opposition. It said there were serious irregularities that affected the outcome of the contest. It therefore asked the electoral body to hold another ballot within 60 days.
The other interesting thing about the presidential contest in Kenya is that since 2007, Raila Odinga, son of one of the renowned scions of the country’s politics – Oginga Odinga – has been struggling to rule the country. His father did not get such a chance. He believes that times have changed and that he should occupy the Number One seat now. But he incumbent president is the son of the country’s most recognized political figure and erstwhile president – Jomo Kenyata. He believes he is the right person to keep the Kenyan flag flying. So, what do you think? It is simply the battle of the Kenyan political heirs. But the world is holding its breath. Let their be no further bloodshed.
In Nigeria, it has never been uhuru. President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country after 103 days of medical vacation abroad only to meet a changed political environment. Before he left on May 7 for the United Kingdom, the call for political restructuring or true federalism was in whispers. It was certainly not as vocal as the President met on his return. All sorts of groups have now taken to the streets and highways to press home their demands. To worsen matters, some chieftains of the ruling party have joined the agitation for true federalism. Truly, the center cannot hold any more. See our analysis of the Nigerian political situation.
This is just a tip of the iceberg.
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Pat I. Chukwuelue
Editor-in-Chief
