Eminent African Leaders Ponder Over Presidential Term Limits

Eminent African leaders have strongly condemned the rising trend in which some continental leaders tamper with the Constitution to extend their Presidential terms in office.  

The decision by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to ignore calls to withdraw his third-term bid has been met with fierce criticism from across the world.  

The Great Lakes region has become a focal point in which three sitting Presidents have declared their interest to amend their country’s Constitution to run for re-election.  

In Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza was re-elected after disputed polls which were preceded by violence which led to the killing of civilians and forced many to flee to neighbouring countries.

In Rwanda, the country’s Parliament to a decision to back a plan to scrap presidential terms and allow President Paul Kagame to run for elections in 2017.   

In Uganda, 70 year old President Yoweri Museveni has sought party’s presidential nomination ahead of next year’s general election.  

Museveni’s bid for another term in office could extend his rule to 35 five years in power.  

Former Botswana President Sir Ketumile Masire who voluntarily stepped out of office after serving two terms has spoken out
against leaders who pro-long their stay in office.Masire has also expressed concern over the scourge of corruption which he says is derailing the continent’s socio-economic progress.

Republic of Botswana former president, Sir Ketumile Masire says, “Personally, I left office because I felt going on for too long is never can be good. People have a nature of wanting to see something different. When somebody comes he can practice your good and add his own good for a bigger good.”

Former President of the Pan African Parliament Gertrude Mongella says third term bids undermine peace and democracy.

Pan African Parliament former president, Gertrude Mongella says, “For me I’m a believer for limited terms according to the Constitution. We were lucky that our first President Julius Nyerere established two terms in Tanzania.  He could have stayed long, but he said I want to leave when you still love me. I don’t want to wait until you force me to leave.”

Masire has also expressed concern over the scourge of corruption which he says is derailing the continent’s socio-economic progress.
Republic of Botswana former president, Sir Ketumile Masire says, “Corruption is an evil and its corruptive and the danger is enormous. Corruption distorts values and everything we should live to pay a price for.”

SABC