On the AU and Sundry
You would be forgiven if like me you thought the recent African Union Ordinary Summit of heads of state was an old people's event or a meeting of the Geriatric Association. I am aware that "old" is relative and many times depends on which side of sixty one is.
But seriously, watching our president, his Zimbabwean counterpart, the Liberian president and many other leaders walking through the doors of the summit hall, heaving their tired old bones, was like watching the goings on in an old people's home. Not even the stiff handshakes, the forced smiles and giddy steps could mask the fact that a number of these presidents should have been at some sunny resort, spending the twilight of their years watching birds fly or seated in one of those "lazy man's" chair reading a book.
According to a recent survey, the average age of Africa's leaders was 62 years, while the world average is 60.3. This might not be that bad, however when you think that the world average contains figures from Africa, you realise the reason why it is probably on the high side. On the other hand, the European average is 55 years old. Did I mention that we have some notable outliers in Africa such as the president of Zimbabwe who will be turning 90, come the 21st of February 2014. This is not to even begin mentioning other leaders on the "wrong" side of sixty like our very own Michael Sata, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. (Statistics Courtersy of the BBC).
When it comes down to it, age is not so much of a problem for me as long as someone is able to work. However, the fact that older men and women insist on remaining presidents even when it is evident that they are in the twilight of their lives provides a window into the so-called "rigours" of being president. It may be that there is a gross exaggeration of the exertions associated with the work that our leaders are supposed to be doing. For all we know, the so-called "rigours and exertions" could merely be empty words aimed at impressing in us an over-estimation of their jobs and thus justify the many benefits that come with it. If indeed it was painfully tiring and stressing as they always claim, why would they still be doing it?
The Geriatric Summit itself (Edit to read the African Union Summit) lived up to its expectations. It was ordinary and there was no surprise in that. The usual vague noises were made towards South Sudan, the Central African Republic and other trouble-spots. The statements were sealed with the usual tired cliches of accelerating development.
I was left wondering why our leaders would choose to have an ordinary summit when South Sudan is now in a state of confusion with competing factions threatening to plunge the newly created country into a mad bloodbath, when Egypt is tittering on the brink of anarchy and indeed when the conflict in the CAR has now turned ugly and is most perceptibly drawn along religious lines.
Speaking of religion, I think it has to be man's worst invention (and yes I am aware of the AK47 and the Atomic Bomb). I honestly can't think of anything as irrationally divisive as religion. Surely if I am going to kill you or discriminate against you, there has to be a better reason than simply because the "Invisible Being" I worship is different from yours. How do I even tell the difference, and even I could tell, is it enough reason for me to annihilate and obliterate you from the face of the Earth? And that is why I think its a grave mistake for Zambia to identify itself as "A Christian Nation" and enshrine that in the constitution. What does it mean anyway, which version of Christianity amongst the myriad of Christian sects, from the Mormons to the Witnesses, from the Orthodox to the Evangelicals, the Sabbath keepers to those that worship on Friday or any other day of the week..
Our local media chose to concentrate on the "lighter aspects" of the summit. Choosing to flood us with images of our President wining and dining with his "counterparts". A few column inches were dedicated to his speech. I saw it on television and could not help but notice that it was delivered with a certain vivid tiredness that I find difficult to solely attribute to jet-lag.
I think enough calls have been made for the reformation of the African Union.I am sure the men and women at the helm of this organisation know that this is inevitable if the Union wishes to acquire a semblance of relevance in African affairs. However, whether anyone is bold enough to spearhead this structural overhaul of the union remains to be seen. In the meantime, we will content ourselves with ordinary summits and resolutions as cold as ash.
On a sad note, I just learnt today from my mates in the office of a young University of Zambia student who was raped by four men while going to her boarding house in Kalingalinga. This unfortunate incident I hear happened around 18hours. I just hope and pray that the authorities will capture the culprits and that the law will take its course on the offenders. I actually wish the law would add castration (without the use of anesthesia) for all who commit such offenses to the list of punishments for rapists, before committing them to prison for life.
But seriously, watching our president, his Zimbabwean counterpart, the Liberian president and many other leaders walking through the doors of the summit hall, heaving their tired old bones, was like watching the goings on in an old people's home. Not even the stiff handshakes, the forced smiles and giddy steps could mask the fact that a number of these presidents should have been at some sunny resort, spending the twilight of their years watching birds fly or seated in one of those "lazy man's" chair reading a book.
According to a recent survey, the average age of Africa's leaders was 62 years, while the world average is 60.3. This might not be that bad, however when you think that the world average contains figures from Africa, you realise the reason why it is probably on the high side. On the other hand, the European average is 55 years old. Did I mention that we have some notable outliers in Africa such as the president of Zimbabwe who will be turning 90, come the 21st of February 2014. This is not to even begin mentioning other leaders on the "wrong" side of sixty like our very own Michael Sata, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. (Statistics Courtersy of the BBC).
When it comes down to it, age is not so much of a problem for me as long as someone is able to work. However, the fact that older men and women insist on remaining presidents even when it is evident that they are in the twilight of their lives provides a window into the so-called "rigours" of being president. It may be that there is a gross exaggeration of the exertions associated with the work that our leaders are supposed to be doing. For all we know, the so-called "rigours and exertions" could merely be empty words aimed at impressing in us an over-estimation of their jobs and thus justify the many benefits that come with it. If indeed it was painfully tiring and stressing as they always claim, why would they still be doing it?
The Geriatric Summit itself (Edit to read the African Union Summit) lived up to its expectations. It was ordinary and there was no surprise in that. The usual vague noises were made towards South Sudan, the Central African Republic and other trouble-spots. The statements were sealed with the usual tired cliches of accelerating development.
I was left wondering why our leaders would choose to have an ordinary summit when South Sudan is now in a state of confusion with competing factions threatening to plunge the newly created country into a mad bloodbath, when Egypt is tittering on the brink of anarchy and indeed when the conflict in the CAR has now turned ugly and is most perceptibly drawn along religious lines.
Speaking of religion, I think it has to be man's worst invention (and yes I am aware of the AK47 and the Atomic Bomb). I honestly can't think of anything as irrationally divisive as religion. Surely if I am going to kill you or discriminate against you, there has to be a better reason than simply because the "Invisible Being" I worship is different from yours. How do I even tell the difference, and even I could tell, is it enough reason for me to annihilate and obliterate you from the face of the Earth? And that is why I think its a grave mistake for Zambia to identify itself as "A Christian Nation" and enshrine that in the constitution. What does it mean anyway, which version of Christianity amongst the myriad of Christian sects, from the Mormons to the Witnesses, from the Orthodox to the Evangelicals, the Sabbath keepers to those that worship on Friday or any other day of the week..
Our local media chose to concentrate on the "lighter aspects" of the summit. Choosing to flood us with images of our President wining and dining with his "counterparts". A few column inches were dedicated to his speech. I saw it on television and could not help but notice that it was delivered with a certain vivid tiredness that I find difficult to solely attribute to jet-lag.
I think enough calls have been made for the reformation of the African Union.I am sure the men and women at the helm of this organisation know that this is inevitable if the Union wishes to acquire a semblance of relevance in African affairs. However, whether anyone is bold enough to spearhead this structural overhaul of the union remains to be seen. In the meantime, we will content ourselves with ordinary summits and resolutions as cold as ash.
On a sad note, I just learnt today from my mates in the office of a young University of Zambia student who was raped by four men while going to her boarding house in Kalingalinga. This unfortunate incident I hear happened around 18hours. I just hope and pray that the authorities will capture the culprits and that the law will take its course on the offenders. I actually wish the law would add castration (without the use of anesthesia) for all who commit such offenses to the list of punishments for rapists, before committing them to prison for life.
Keith,
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you mention age is not so much the problem as long as someone is able to work. In other words, it's not how young/old one is but the ability to perform.
That said, what is uncle Bob bringing to Zimbabwe that he hasn't brought since the 1980's? isn't that as good as Zambia bringing back KK? What can KK offer Zambia that is relevant to today's challenges? Someone has got to know when they have run their race period. I don't want to answer these questions myself as the answers maybe right down to opinion or preference.
Unfortunately, most organisations are very resistant to change, and will settle for mediocrity just to preserve the status quo and personal preservation. perhaps its a classic misunderstanding of the cliche 'if it aint broken don't fix it"
Thanks Mate. I too wonder what Bob is doing that a younger person can't. One theory holds that our deeply patriarchal roots make it very difficult to challenge for leadership positions those that are conspicuously older than us. And even when we do, the voters will always side with the older person unless there are extra-ordinary extenuating circumstances. It could also explain why, during the short-lived alliance between the PF and UPND, many thought Mr Sata should stand for presidency based on the fact that he was older. It seemed then, other issues paled in significance when one considered considered age. It didn't matter whether HH had a better education, was more exposed, age was the main consideration.
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