(independantexpress.net)
The issue of limiting the presidential term always comes up again. Heads of state who against the tide and tides are running for 3 or 4 terms, and others who change the constitution to remain constantly in power regardless of the protests and other pressures in front. The new fashion now is obviously either to shut up on his candidacy or announce his withdrawal and then return to the request of a certain people we are told. Faure Gnassingbé has experienced in Togo, Alassane Ouattara about to make a name for himself in Côte d'Ivoire?
In Africa, the question of power, the appeal of the people and others have become today a real one to which politicians of all stripes give themselves. Age, reason and common sense no longer have a place in our cities.
A few months ago, Togolese people should go to the polls to elect their president. The candidates had declared themselves, but the power remained. The barons and other zealous activists of power have ventured to organize demonstrations to ask outgoing President Faure Gnassingbé to run for another term, that is to say his 4th.
But until a week before the closing date of the nominations, UNIR had still not revealed the name of its candidate. Names are whispering, the corridors of the presidency have been circulating names. Faure Gnassingbé remained silent. It is only 48 hours before the closing date of the nominations that the ruling party unveils the name of its candidate. Faure Gnassingbé humbly accepted the people's call.
A manipulated, hungry, slave-driven people asks a modern-day monarch to stay in power. It was in this contrast that Faure Gnassingbé ran for president and came out on top with 70.78% of the vote according to the Constitutional Court. Faure Gnassingbé is still in power because "the people" claimed it.
As if it's fashion, the same scenario is being written in Alassane Ouattara's Côte d'Ivoire. The Ivorian president is renouncing his third term, but for real?
Alliance Togo Informatique
When Ouattara retires…
At the end of last week, the Ivorian president, in front of the parliamentarians meeting in Yamoussoukro, solemnly announced that he would not run for president on 31 October 2020. The president wanted to transfer power to a "new generation."
The announcement of this news went off like wildfire. Social networks are flooded. For some, it is an act of wisdom. But at the same time, Ouattara's announcement was variously appreciated. Within the RHDP, politicians we were told of tears. It's comedy, as has always been the case under the black African sun. The day after this announcement, a group of women mobilized and marched to ask Alassane Ouattara not to leave, to run for a third term.
When you walk for Ouattara…
In Abobo on Monday, supporters of Alassane Ouattara expressed their opposition to his decision not to run for a third term in next October's presidential election.
For these mainly female protesters, "ADO" "lucky" for Côte d'Ivoire, therefore unacceptable that it refuses a third term. "Faithful Abobo Sagbé/President's Departure: No, No and No"; "We want ADO, ADO forever, ADO is a chance for Côte d'Ivoire," read among other things the placards and banners held up by the demonstrators.
"Dad ADO we are with you today, we are with you tomorrow. If we are here today, it is for peace," said Ivorian artist-singer Mawa Traoré, wishing that Ouattara would not relinquish a third term.
The scenario is the same as that written by the barons and other executives of the Union for the Republic party UNIR and played by Faure Ganssingbé. According to analysts, everything that is currently happening in Côte d'Ivoire is well prepared politically. "Like Faure Gnassingbé in Togo, ADO will humbly accept the people's appeal and reverse its decision. Let's not be let' get it. It's the fashion right now," said one civil society actor.
Is Alassane Dramane Ouattara watched by the syndrome of like Faure Gnassingbé? Is he really retiring to transform power to the generation as advertised? And to what generation? The days to come will build up to us all.
www.independantexpress.net
Richard AZIAGUE
