Thursday, February 10, 2011

TORRENT OF CHANGE SWEEPING AFRICA

The history of Africa has been one of wars of oppression of one kind or the other. After the attainment of independence, many African leaders adopted exactly the same attitude the colonialists used towards the people. Then came tribalism and other forms of ills that bedeviled the rule of law. The rulers bypassed elections and instituted tyranny instead of democracy. Many stayed in powers for very long time. Who ever thought Mobutu could lose power and even die in exile? That is precisely what happened.
People will not demonstrate against a government for no reason. They put up with a lot of hardship and corruption and when they cannot take it any longer, they take to the street in many forms. Sometimes the event can be a spontaneous release of anger and frustration. It happened in Tunisia, Yemen and many parts of the Arab world. Now it is happening in Egypt with such force and power that Mubarak has no alternative but to relinquish power. The number of people coming out has been increasing as Mubarak denies what he is witnessing.
The Egyptian Military has shown leadership and stayed away from the political issues of governing. The words that came from the highest command of the Egyptian army puts many other African dictators and their armies to great shame. The words that come out give more confidence to the people that the army is theirs.
They statement from the Christian Science monitor said,

The generals had a statement read on State TV. “Based on the responsibility of the armed forces and its commitment to protect the people... and in support of the legitimate demands of the people [the army] will continue meeting on a continuous basis to examine measures to be taken to protect the nation and its gains and the ambitions of the great Egyptian people."

Unfortunately, in Uganda the NRA/NRM always confront the people with "We fought..." whenever there is a prospect of electing one not aligned or part of the original people who went to the bush to fight the government in power then.
So, the big question is, "Does the current Uganda army represent and protect freedom of the people of Uganda or is it an occupation army?"