Then Yahya Jammeh like the biblical dog, returned to his vomit
When the West African country, The Gambia went for Elections about a fortnight ago, I did not pay much attention. I knew it was a foregone conclusion. Yahya Jammeh the maverick dictator of 22 years would be announced winner irrespective of what transpired at the ballot.
His greatest enduring competitor and harsh critic for many years, Usainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party was in jail – a normal thing is a free and fair election in Africa.
The army on whose back he rode in a coup two decades ago was apparently still backing him and meddling in the election in a partisan manner – another normal thing in a democratic election in this part of the world.
All the other things that matter like the Central Bank and the election officials were in the bag -or so it was thought.
How wrong. Not only was Jammeh defeated by an opposition coalition led by Adama Barrow, but he also went on national television and conceded defeat.
He did not stop there he called his opponent and wished him well. He said what had happened was the will of Allah and that he would never rule Gambians without their mandate.
It was shocking. The theory of the incumbent of a banana republic, deep in the basket, not giving up power; had been obliterated by a dictator.
Well, a week later, Jammeh like the biblical dog, returned to lick his vomit- making things ‘normal.’ He rejected the result sighting ‘abnormalities’ with the electoral process! Whatever happened to the will of Allah?
Wherever this one ends, there is still an enduring question that begs an answer. Why is it that particularly African presidents do not want to leave office even when they are well past their sell-by date?
It may be something to do with the inadequacy that comes from the obscure backgrounds from which many of us originate.
Many times when people have wallowed in poverty for years, living off hand outs, charity and at the mercy of Good Samaritans, they develop a feeling of inferiority and latent anger with the world they view as unfair.
They also develop a survival instinct, become resilient and determined. Many times for one to get to terms with this situation, they feel the need to bring it to the attention of the world that they are not as insufficient as circumstances have defined them this far.
One of the best ways and avenues to do this is by contending for leadership at the highest level possible. It puts all men below their feet.
It brings us to the world of African politics. It has been a rough one right from the colonial days. It has always been a fight.
First against recalcitrant white men, then the intransigent post colonial dictators and the superfluous semi-military new breed of African leaders who came to power in the late 80s.
In this rough and tumble of politics, it is usually the hard knocks with nothing to lose who make it to the top. These are the men and women, who are willing to take risks, kill, steal and destroy.
Woe unto a country, if the one who gets to the apex is the type who has come through from hell.
Unfortunately, most of those who come by the barrel of the gun have such a history. The first task is to nurse their own ego by making themselves larger than life.
They in the process belittle and humiliate other people. They posture as the best leaders since independence.
Those before them were useless wild animals. They are the only ones who have proper thoughts, visions and plans for the country. The rest will only plunge the country into chaos.
They destroy all institutions of State, making themselves the State. Everyone who wants anything must bow down to them. Those who are not compliant are imprisoned and persecuted.
For such a character to feel normal, he must be surrounded by praise singers and sycophants. He is met by people wallowing in often state inspired poverty, deprivation and insecurity. These people view him as the Alpha and Omega at whose mercy and behest they prosper or perish.
That is what gives him a kick. This control over men, the adulation and praise singing, speak to his ego.
They act as a compensation for the humiliation he went through earlier in life when he was at the mercy of other people who helped bring him up. They act as reassurance that these men are very adequate and important.
The only situation and occupation that can bring these benefits to men with small hearts who ironically are known as Africa’s big men is the autocracy that comes with the African presidency.
That is why no amount of property earned or stolen money, farmland, or whatever incentive provided, will make some of these leaders leave State House and retire to their animal farms and leave peacefully with their wives and grand children.
Money and property do not give the same kick to a leader with a small ego as one gets from controlling and humiliating men who look at them as gods. Yahya Jammeh is on the money.
Nicholas Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues.
[email protected] Twitter: @nsengoba
