Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has cautioned African sit-tight leaders against the possibility of witnessing uprisings similar to the Arab Spring in their countries.
Speaking at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) Tuesday, he urged the leaders to address “people’s issues”.
Obasanjo who is on a five-day visit to India, said the “seven or eight leaders” heading authoritarian governments in Africa should learn from the people’s revolutions in North Africa and, if they do not, they would be made to learn the “important” lesson by their citizens.
“What has happened in North Africa is not just a lesson for nations in Africa, but is a lesson for the world as a whole,” the former president said while responding to a question on what lesson the Arab Spring and the subsequent regime changes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen has for Africa after he delivered an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) at Sapru House, Channels Television reported.
He also pointed out that the situation vis-a-vis authoritarian rules in the African continent was “much more worse” two decades ago. “But today, the situation is better.
“The ‘life presidents’ and ‘sit-tight leaders’ are becoming endangered. If you look at Africa today, you have seven or eight such leaders. At one time, more than 50 per cent of Africa was under such leaders,” he noted.
Speaking further, he said: “It is said that history repeats itself. But I say, if you learn from history, it will not repeat itself. A wise man learns from not only his own mistakes, but also from others’ mistakes. And these seven or eight leaders must soon learn. If they do not, they will be made to learn the important lesson.”
Talking of Tunisia, the northern-most African nation where the first revolution now popularly called the Arab Uprising or Arab Spring broke out, Obasanjo said before the movement erupted, it was all calm on the surface in that country, but one suicide triggered a wave that engulfed the whole of North Africa.
“The situation in Tunisia was anything but unstable, everything was calm on the surface, everybody seemed to be happy. But one individual decided to commit suicide and it erupted into a major movement. Anything can happen,” he said.
“It is not so much about democracy, but about unemployment, particularly of the youth. It doesn’t matter what sort of democracy you have, but people’s issues should be addressed,” he warned.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Close SHSs to address feeding, other issues – PTAs tell government
23 minutes -
EC releases 2024 presidential election results for 275 constituencies, 1 still outstanding
40 minutes -
Uganda’s controversial tweeting general quits X
54 minutes -
Daily Insight for CEOs: Building resilient supply chains in Ghana’s evolving market
1 hour -
Karpowership Ghana renovates St Mark Anglican School in Essikado
2 hours -
Post-election violence: Dr. John Osae Kwapong calls for better security and public education
2 hours -
Why Mahama must keep an eye on the environment in ‘resetting’ Ghana
2 hours -
Macdonald Oliver Kofi Ntsiful Baiden
2 hours -
Kenya Airways applauds ISRQ 2024 champions as they fly to Dubai for Edu-Fun trip
2 hours -
2009 Black Satellites World Cup winning squad invited to collect matured investment cheques
2 hours -
Gradual reduction of E-Levy better than complete abolishment – Dr Kwame Asante
3 hours -
It’s a clever appointment – Franklin Cudjoe on 1st batch of ministerial nominees
3 hours -
GPL: Yaw Preko confident Nsoatreman will avoid relegation
3 hours -
Rationalize Ghana’s tax system – AGI tells government
4 hours -
StarTimes set to return as broadcast partners after successful talks with GFA
4 hours