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| Burkinafaso Revolution: Hollande blows final whistle for other stubborn and long-standing African 'Francophone' leaders |
Blaise Compaore, former President of Burkina Faso was forced out of office by a popular revolution after he tried manipulating the constitution to allow him extend his 27 year old rule.
The French President, Francois Hollande warned African leaders on Saturday against trying to hang on to power, praising peaceful political transitions in Burkina Faso and Tunisia as positive examples to the continent.
Addressing African heads of state at the opening of a two-day summit of Francophone nations in the Senegalese capital Dakar, Hollande stated that "The example of Burkina Faso should give a pause for thought to those who would like to stay in power by violating the constitutional order, as it is the people who decide what is legitimate and what is not," said Hollande.
The leaders of many Francophone countries across Africa tend to cling on to power for decades, and usually pass reins of power to family members. The likes of Paul Biya of Cameroon, the Bongos' of Gabon, Eyadema's of Togo etc are among the leaders that have been in power for over 3 decades.
The leaders of many Francophone countries across Africa tend to cling on to power for decades, and usually pass reins of power to family members. The likes of Paul Biya of Cameroon, the Bongos' of Gabon, Eyadema's of Togo etc are among the leaders that have been in power for over 3 decades.
Hollande urged Burkina Faso's transitional authorities, mandated to guide the West African nation to elections next year, to concentrate on reconciliation and to avoid settling scores with members of Compaore's regime. French government has always been supportive of the puppet regimes in these Francophine countries and did not see the Burkinabe Revolution coming. They however organised a safe pacssage for Compaore out of Burkina Faso.
Compaore is wanted for various crimes prominent of which is the assassination of his longtime friend and former visionary Head of state of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara.
Hollande took the stage shortly after a speech by Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila, who opponents accuse of seeking to stay on after his second and final term expires in 2016. Kabila has declined to comment.
However, according to Reuters, a member of the Congolese delegation retorted that Western nations should let Africa undertake political change in its own way.
"Burkina is not a model for other countries. Each country has its own reality and it is nuanced," Collin Kandolo told Reuters. "The French president is president of France and not of Congo and that needs to be respected."
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