ROTATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR AFRICAN UNION IS A BIG CONCERN

By Mr. Andrew Kerosi
Minneapolis Minnesota

ROTATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR AFRICAN UNION IS A BIG CONCERN
The rotation of African Union Leadership is a big concern and a threat to those countries that are going through political changes and are ready to democratize their political systems as a greatest partner of progress. Yes, democracy is the greatest partner of progress, it entrenches political, social and economic order, which accords mankind a dignified lifestyle.

Now, to have an AU chairman on a rotational format, who is an oppressor and who does not believe in democracy, is obviously a bad ideological mix. Take for example this type of chairman receives reports from the citizens of a member country, accusing their Government of crime against humanity. How is he going to react? The answer is common sense.

What does this tell us? This tells us that, AU was set up for a purpose which has been outlived by its own existence and therefore, needs serious re-structuring or done away with altogether. It is not possible to have a dictator chairing an organization such as AU and expect the application of fair play to the citizens of member countries. AU is not for the well being of the citizens of the member countries, it is a relationship established to protect rogue African Governments. This is evidenced from the way AU has been protecting dictators, such as Robert Mugabe, Gadhafi, and others.

Recently, for example, AU has been fighting alongside with the Kenyan Government and the Ocampo six to defer ICC prosecutions. This is because the dictators have always kept on saying that Western countries with their democracies are out here to destroy Africa and yet these same Africans signed the Rome statute that gave birth to ICC. Unfortunately, this contention is never challenged by some African leaders.

They are always in unison even with those whose aspirations are to democratize their countries. It is a contradiction in terms and tells volumes on how we black people in Africa engage in things we don't fully believe in and results are often not to the standard. Democracy is being stifled left, right, center even in those countries trying to democratize. If some of us believe in democracy, it is important that we cherish and protect it. Look at the recent threat by AU that they want to pull out of ICC. Just because AU support the ICC deferral of the Kenyan Ocampo six cases and the rest of the world is not supportive of that.

In Africa, it would appear, corruption, impunity and all types of injustices are not perceived as threat to humanity, but as avenues the powerful individuals access happiness through doubtful wealth accumulation, at the expense and suffering of the weak. Even inflicting pain to the disadvantaged, the powerful, derive happiness. This happiness is a derivative of evil and is of an unrefined mind. Primitive in its nature and is against civilization.

It is a high time we developed a refined mind, a mind that sees meaning and value in every life, soul and above all, the value of all creation. Kenya is finding its way out of this dark corner, resistance is high but challengeable. Persistence and with an educated population, the lords of impunity will have no place in Kenya.

They will look for friends, north, south, east and west and find none. A new generation of hardworking citizens, innovative and creative are emerging. The Swaggering individuals who have stolen from the public and turned politicians are soon disappearing and the nation will be healed. We are yet to have noble men and women.

Role models and not the contaminated lot. God help Kenya.
The AU has failed and since it was established as a club to protect rogue leaders, it is prudent enough to say that Africa does not need AU, it needs a business club with a strong secretariat to spearhead Africa's business agenda. Some African countries at the moment do not have the political will to champion democracy as a partner of progress and I strongly recommend a hold, on any efforts to resolve Africa's political issues in a collective or in an organized grouping, such as AU.

We have failed miserably!!!. Almost all African leaders have oppressive tendencies and political grouping will only mean to be a protective device for dictators and yet the oppressed, who are tax payers, continue to pay heavily to support an organization which is without political values and is perpetuating impunity which hurts them.

Raila stand out above the rest

Raila stand out above the rest
By Andrew Kerosi
Minnesota USA

This journey of Kenya's constitutional freedom, was started by the late Mzee, Jalamogi Oginga Odinga in the late sixties. In his wisdom he new what he wanted for Kenya and at the same time, he new it was going to be a long, challenging and risky journey. Notwithstanding, the oldman, again in his wisdom, behind the scenes, prepared his son, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. This was an extraordinarily preparation which instilled political values into Raila's life.

A father trained individual, Raila is and he understands the art of fair play. He is different from all the leaders we have in Kenya right now, simply, he has been consistent and long serving activist for the freedoms of Kenyans. That does not mean that others are not as good, but his track record is unmatched and unchallenged.

Raila's father foughht two battles of freedoms. The first one was Kenya's freedom from the colonialists' rule and the second one, is the multparty democracy which he started in the late sixties and was achieved in 1991/1992. Remarkable indeed!!! Mzee Odinga, knew the fight was not over yet and positioned his son, Raila to continue with the fight for political space and other freedoms in Kenya.

This is what we have achieved recently, through the promulgation of the new constitution. Power has been given to the people and the imperial Presidency dismantled. This is a fulfillment of Mzee Oginga Odinga's dream come true. He left behind a reliable steward and it is this steward by the name of Raila Odinga who will be trusted with our new constitution. Why?

Raila understands where we have come from and the type of legacy his family, will leave behind. Let us not dim the light that has illuminated and we have been able to see the dark corners of our nation. These dark corners have been hiding places for the lords of impunity and a possible regrouping of the lords of impunity into this corners is envisaged, if we have a weak Presidency at this early stage.

We recognize, Raila's efforts to stand out as a statesman in protecting our new constitution.. His message to the people of Kenya to stand and be counted in protecting our constitution, is a clear indication that Raila would like fair play practiced in Kenya. He is simply the best canditate so far for Presidency.

Let us have this dream come true, successfully and fully realized by having a true custodian at the steering wheel. We want every Kenyan to respect and fear the law. A true fighter and stickler of the law IS Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. The vision of his father.

PRESIDENT KIBAKI'S DEFERRAL BID TO ICC WILL FAIL

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
New Jersey USA
This is another blatant move by the President to waste taxpayers' money to perpetuate impunity. Mzee Kibaki doesn't real get it.We all fail to understand why he cannot let the law take its on cause at the ICC instead of trying to protect a few at the expense of thousands of Kenyans who lost their lives, property and got displaced during the PEV.If I were him, I will put into good use the tax payers’ money that will be wasted in this futile bureaucratic endeavour. Kibaki "MUST" remember that all Kenyans irrespective of their status in life must be protected by the law through equal justice.Trying to protect the high and mighty- Ruto, Uhuru, Muthaura and Hussein Ali, at the expensive of the vulnerable is a clear show of injustice, opportunism, barbarism, inhuman and ungodly. Watch this space, this move to pursue a deferral in trying the PEV suspects will not yield to anything but damage the reputation of Kenya before the international community. Besides, it will also put President Kibaki’s legacy on the line.

THE END OF DICTATORSHIP AND CORRUPTION IN LIBYA

THE END OF DICTATORSHIP AND CORRUPTION IN LIBYA
By Robert Nyambane
Currently and in recent weeks we have witnessed unusual political changes taking place in the Arab world, notably in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The Political violence in these 3 North African Nations, is spreading out rapidly like wild fire across the Northern region of Africa whereby the long time dictators have been thrown out of power by force.

In January this year, the former Tunisian leader, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted. The Tunisia event acted as a hot catalyst that triggered fast political upheavals in Egypt, Libya and other Arab countries like Yemen.

Last month ( February 2011 )The former Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak was forced to leave office prematurely by mass anti Government protesters. Mubarak has been President of Egypt for 30 years consecutively. He succeeded Anwar Sadat who was assassinated in 1981.

The next one to go is Libyan dictator, Moammar Gadhafi who has ruled that country with an iron fist for the past 40 years. For Gadhafi, we are just counting days if not hours before we would hear that he has been toppled. People are anxiously awaiting his fall with wide open eyes and sharp ears – watching and listening to TV and radio news day and night just to hear the announcement of a coup in Libya any time. Stay awake and keep your eyes & ears open throughout.

In Tunisia and Egypt the former leaders were thrown out of power as a result of political unrests / civil disobedience or public protests by unarmed civilians. But in Libya it is armed rebels who are fiercely fighting the Gadhafi regime from the Eastern part of the country. Benghazi, the 2nd largest city in Libya is in their hands.

There is great assurance of that dictator being ousted as some of his army units, Police Officers and other personalities royal to him have deserted him and opted to join dissidents in the fight against Gadahafi and his henchmen . In fact, the rebels have already gained control of Eastern Libya and are now advancing towards Tripoli, the capital city. They have vowed to continue fighting to the end.

P2

There are 2 common factors to be noted in these 3 African leaders of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya; The 1st one is that they were all dictators. The 2nd one is that they have ruled for decades, treating people like their personal property.

The hot political upheavals in these 3 North African Nations is an indication that the Africans have woke up and seen sense in their democratic rights – getting a leader of their choice through general periodic elections. Again, they have realized the disadvantages of being ruled by one leader for a long time. The most significant achievement to those political protests is an end to corrupt regimes.

Similar political changes need to erupt and spread out to the rest of Africa like; East, West, Central and finally land in Southern regions where dictatorship type of rule still exists. Let the 3 countries in the North serve as a warning and an example to others in the rest of Africa.

In Eastern Africa, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Omar Basir of North Sudan deserve to resign from power peacefully. Museven came to power in August 1986, and Basir has ruled Sudan for over 30 years. They are soon leaving.

Going to Central Africa, you find another veteran dictator by the name Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe who has been in power since that country became independent in April 1980. It is time that Mugabe should resign and go home.

During the last summit of the African Union, its members states held a convention in which they unanimously agreed and passed a political resolution that no African Nation will be ruled by the same leader for more than ten years in a row.

It is not only Basir, Mugabe and Museveni who should step down, but there are also many others like these three who must quit before fire catches them. In our next edition, we shall release the long list of Presidents in Africa who have occupied office for over 10 years which is against AU’s (former O A U) convention as clearly stipulated in the immediate paragraph above.

From the recent and ongoing violent political events in North Africa, we have seen the evils and dangers that looms when one same leader overstays in power. Even

P3

in the church we should not have one Pastor preaching in the same church for over 10 years. It becomes dangerous if one Priest is allowed to stay at one Parish for a considerably long period, say 10 years plus. The same case applies to schools where if one Principal heads one same school for too long things will get spoiled and eventually the good reputation she / he had built begins to rot and be useless

Change of leadership is inevitable everywhere – in learning and religious institutions plus social and business organizations.

The current situation in North Africa has been described in similar ways by different commentators : -

> Some say it is war against dictatorship reign in Africa

> others state that it is a period of re-awakening in Africa

> It is to teach the African dictators a life time lesson

> It is the end of corrupt leaders in Africa

> It is the beginning of an end to - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - what ?

All in all, the latest revolutionary movements in that North part of Africa, marks the beginning of an end to authoritarian rule in the entire Africa Continent. This will give Africa a new clean face + shape on the world map.

The ongoing uprisings in Libya broke out in mid February this year of 2011. To be exact it was on 15 – 02 – 2011 when the rebels wedged a serious war against dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Soldiers royal to Gadhafi are resisting the rebels who want to gain entry into the capital Tripoli where the long time dictator is hiding.

Colonel Gadhafi as he calls himself, has defied orders and requests from other world leaders who have been urging him to step down. Soon or later the rebels will penetrate into Tripoli and flush him out by force. This might happen overnight and be the headlines of major Newspapers around the world at large. Civil War !