There and About Zambia tops in harassment of leadersZambians seem to have developed an interesting appetite since the start about four decades ago of what qualifies as Africa�s not-so-chilly third wind of change. It�s harassing former and sitting presidents. It won�t hurt if other Africans acquire the taste. Incidentally, it wasn�t an African who coined the phrase "wind of change" in February 1960. It was then British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, who lived to what he once described as "ridiculous old age". Mr Macmillan was best placed to smell the coming wind. He could also tell it might become an uncontrollable storm. Great Britain was the last mighty coloniser. The colonised world over had enough of unpalatable alien political recipes and wanted to feast on local ones, for better or worse. The second African wind of change sauces first got sour and then murderous. There were coups and counter-coups, rebellions and civil wars. It was the era of the Big Men. Then came the third wave: getting rid of the Big Men. Some of them, it turned out, were foils. A little squeeze and they crumbled. Others were resilient and hang on for a while. Reasonable, but myopic, leaders were there. They couldn�t see curtains at State House were torn. When the wind came they didn�t even have needle or thread to patch up the holes. Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda fell in this category. In all fairness, Zambians showed Mr Kaunda the door mainly because single-party states became unfashionable. After all, Mr Kaunda didn�t preside over massive looting of national treasury. He didn�t even build torture chambers where presidential respect was instilled into citizens� marrows. Of course being lousy in choosing experts to run the economy didn�t invigorate even Mr Kaunda�s admirers to mildly defend him. His wells of tears for his country made him look like a whimper. True, Mr Kaunda was harassed by racist neighbours, including cavemen who considered themselves special because of diluted Dutch ancestry. That didn�t make running a country easy. But when Mr Kaunda attempted political cold war from retirement, some constable showed up. A precious few fellow citizens whimpered protest. Mr Kaunda got wiser. He�s today a model former president. This year�s harassment has two prongs. One is directed at Mr Kaunda�s successor, Frederick Chiluba, whose only consolation appears to be a leggy new wife, the other at President Levy Mwanawasa. Mr Mwanawasa was considered Mr Chiluba�s sidekick when he became president in December 2001. He promised war against corruption. That�s very politically fashionable these days. Hardly anyone, Mr Chiluba included, expected more than presidential rhetoric. Now a few know better. More are likely to. "Corruption has made this country poor,�� he is reported to have said in June. "We shall continue with our zero-tolerance for corruption because it increases the cost of doing business and increases poverty levels. No one will be spared." That was mere alliteration. Mr Chiluba was already out on bail, charged with stealing five million dollars when he was in power. A few days later Mr Mwanawasa had wandered in the grove. Mr Chiluba was in custody, charged with stealing an additional 20 million dollars. As looting of national treasuries in Africa goes, that�s peanut. But it seems Zambians have accepted top politicians, regardless of positions, need kindergarten lessons in governance. It appears Mr Mwanawasa didn�t realise he wasn�t an exemption. Early this month, some characters were in Parliament accusing him of corruption, among other misdeeds. They wanted him impeached. He survived, with bruises. Granted, members of the opposition United Party for National Development orchestrated the assault on Mr Mwanawasa. Political moves though are preceded by trial balloons. The opposition knew Zambians wouldn�t mind a little presidential harassment. Sociologists and political scientists are yet to pronounce judgement on why it�s become fashionable in Zambia to harass former and sitting presidents, and with exceptional civility. Zambians probably hope as a result those aspiring to leadership will learn some lessons and watch their ways. It isn�t necessarily so. But, probably and unconsciously, Zambians are showing other Africans that presidents aren�t all that special and can be routinely hounded even while in office. Also, that a constable can smilingly tell a former head of state: Sir, according to the law, your decrees included, you are under arrest. That�s neat. Comments\Views about this article |
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