Succession in Puppet States of Africa

By Innocent Chia The death of Gabonese President El Omar Bongo, Africa’s longest serving leader, has tickled the perennial discussion about the monarchical acculturation of democracies in many African countries. From Congo to Togo and from Equatorial Guinea to Gabon, there is a clear determination by these Presidents, with the assist of handclapping rubber-stamp parliaments, to take the clock back in time to the medieval era where the progeny, mostly sons, were natural and undisputable heirs to the throne. It is within this framework, of hijacking the semblance of democracy and perpetuating dynasties, that one readily finds meaning in the nonsensical constitutional provision of 45-day interim governments that most French speaking African countries resort to in case of the death of the President.

It is thus that the weight of her country, Africa and the world indeed, has come to rest on the shoulders of the Senate Leader, Rose Francine Rogombe. Sworn in as interim President on June 10, 2009, after it was finally confirmed that President Omar Bongo had died on June 8th in a clinic in Barcelone, Spain, Rose Francine Rogombe is constitutionally charged with the task of organizing elections within 45 days following her oath. While this looks like a cut and dry process to the naked eye, keen observers of the body politic in Africa are more than leery, with good reason, of any prospects of transparency.

Speculation has been rife that she is “warming” the seat for Omar Bongo’s son, the current Minister of Defense, Ali Bongo Ondimba who closed the country’s borders and international airports on the immediate aftermath of the death of his father. Ali Bongo’s key cabinet position puts him in control of the military and the police. He can create order in the case of any storm in a teacup, and can orchestrate havoc if things fail to go the way of the Bongo clan. The Bongo family coffers are deep enough to guarantee that there are no surprises - if Ali Bongo desires the presidency. 

All of this makes anyone with a brain the size of a worm to wonder why these French speaking countries in Africa adamantly continue staying the constitutional course of interim governments. These special elections that are to be organized by the interim governments are costly and a complete waste of taxpayer money and time. And it is possible that a little foresight, combined with less greed would resolve the matter for ever. 

These constitutions can simply take care of the problem by creating the position of a Vice President who, like in the American system, is in waiting in the eventuality of the President’s death. The Vice President can then finish the rest of the term that is left on the mandate. It will cost the country less and ensure continuity of national life. As it stands in Gabon, a-30-day mourning period has been declared. 

This is very reminiscent of what happens in my village of Kom in Cameroon where upon the disappearance of my village chief, there is a period of mourning during which the constituted traditional authority searches for a new leader. It would seem to me that this is the system espoused by French speaking African countries. If so, then there is an inherent problem: My village of Kom is a dynasty. It is not a democracy in the sense that the villagers don’t get to the ballot box to elect the leader, our Fon. 

Gabon is a democracy - like Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Togo and the other French speaking African countries. Therefore, using the same “search committee” that modernity calls “interim government” is a farce to pull the wool over our faces. I think the people of Africa and rest of the world get it – the odds are slim of having a truly elected President from these elections. 

But we know why the option of having Vice Presidents is not a popular one in Africa. It has to do with fear – fear that the VP will precipitate their death in order to assume power. There is also the fear that VPs will take away from the rightful inheritance of their kids. Apart from the element of fear, it is obvious that any one of them comes to power to eternalize themselves on the throne. 

Omar Bongo has figured out by now that as mortals, human beings all have an expiration date. There is no such thing as staying in power forever. What lives forever are the positive policies to improve the conditions of your people and to make your nation prosperous. That is what legacy is all about. 

It is sad that with all the wealth accumulated in his 41 years of Presidency, Omar Bongo died in a private clinic in Barcelona, Spain. And that is the shame of a vast majority of African Presidents. They steal all the national wealth so as to afford better treatment out of their countries. If they don’t want to build excellent hospitals in Africa that can also benefit the general population, why not hire those MDs and necessary medical equipment and have all of that shipped to their palaces? It will certainly cost less and if the worst scenario inevitably knocks, the President still gets to die in the palace. 

They rather die alone and away from their countries, shrouded in complete secrecy. It is not allowed for the people to know anything about the President’s health. President Biya of Cameroon has jailed reporters for inquiring after his health or making statements about it. The Prime Minister of Gabon continued to deny the reports even after credible sources had confirmed the death of Bongo. People are to pray for their leaders, but it is clear that these leaders know that they are not worth the prayers of their people.

President Bongo died less than a year following the death of his wife, Edith Lucie Bongo, the daughter of Congolese President Dennis Sassou Nguesso. Their death at close proximity also stirs a discussion on the cause of death. It will be remembered that in the early 90’s President Bongo was involved in a court case alleging that he had been having unprotected sex with some paid Italian ladies. The “Affaire Smalto” insinuated that it was possible the President had contracted HIV/AIDS.

Whatever the cause, may his soul rest in peace with his maker. And may the people of Gabon find a new leader that they need and deserve.

Comments

[Ras Tuge]

Man, i normally don't like your articles because they are usually replete with blatant inconsistencies, as you often premise your arguments on vague notions.

Nevertheless, you have written something very nice this time, and every African child must ponder about the kind of place that we want to leave behind for future generations. I had to break my silence and encourage you to keep this up man.

Babylon's got the lives of all the African quislings who are obsessed with earthly possessions in her wicked hands. In Jah Sweet Home there shan't be room for vicious people. Bongo and the rest of his ilk who chosed to deny helpless African children the right to live decent lives by refusing to be custodians of Africa's prosperity, shall all vanish in utter humiliation.

Whether Bongo was killed by AIDS or not is immaterial, for death is death. But if rather than procure befitting medical facilities for their various countries, they all prefer to go and be finished off in Babylon just so they can get befitting funerals when they're returned in tiny coffins, then Jah wrath shan't spare whoever or whatever they left behind.

Black man story, always misery. What a botheration!

[Ma Mary]

Why do the francophone African countries practice the same succession rituals? They are all controlled by an external power. SURVIE has gathered a lot of data about how this nebulous network of exploiters operates. Every succession in Francophone Africa is neocolonial françafrique operation.

Southern Cameroonians do NOT belong in a françafrique entity.

[freddo]

Hahaha Bravo Cameroon;
Barack Obama withdrew U.S. visa to some corrupt camerounian politicians

U.S. President believes that some officials are corrupt and that their
bank accounts in the United States are disproportionately' ' furnished
'' compared to the level of living in Cameroon.

In a note signed and sent to the Head of the Cameroonian State through
the U.S. embassy in Yaounde, the Obama administration is the listing of
the Cameroonian politicians banned from the USA Saturday. America
justifies this decision by the results of investigations by their agents
on the accounts of some Cameroonians abroad and on U.S. territory. FBI
agents and CIA have found that certain politicians in Yaoundé had too
many accounts ''furnished' ' in contrast with the general standard of
living of the average Cameroonian. They have thus reached the conclusion
it is the taxpayer's money diverted. Hence decide not to issue visas for
the United States for these per sons, their wives and children. Anyone
already in possession of a U.S. visa and whose names appear on this list
will have these visas simply suspended.

It should be recalled that the former USA ambassador to Cameroon, Niels
Marquardt had repeatedly said that the United States prohibit the entry
of any person whose property in the United States are considered
suspicious or ill-gotten . He had at one time, pleaded with members of
Cameroon for the respect of Article 66 of the Constitution which
requires any person who accesses a political office to declare their
property. This law has never been applied starting with the first of
Cameroonian, President Biya.
The threat has been implemented . Most recently, the current ambassador
of USA in Yaounde, Janet Garvet, affirmed her support to the Cameroonian
authorities in appropriate cases where they wished to repatriate assets
held by some Cameroonians pinned under the operation hawk . She then
stated that the U.S. secret services will provide full support.

Please find below, the list of 44 billionaires submitted by the
Americans to Mr. Biya to continue the EPERVIER operation he started last
March 2006. The list was published by a local newspaper called the Le
Jeune Observateur and listed the billionaires in order of importance:

1. Polycarpe Abah Abah

2. Alphonse Siyam Siwe

3. Emmanuel Gerard Ondo Ndong

4. Gervais Mendo Ze

5. Remy Ze Meka

6. Pierre Desire Engo

7. Akame Mfou mou

8. E.N. Etonde Ekoto

9. Atangana Mebara

10. Marafa Hamidou Yaya

11. Zacheus Mungwe Forjindam

12. Njankou Lamare

13. Charles Metouck

14. Peter Akumchi Awa

15. E.E.Etoundi Oyono

16. Talba Malla Oumate

17. Aristide M. Okouda

18. Yves Michel Fotso

19. Jean B. Bokam

20. O. Olanguena Awono

21. Iya Mohamed

22. Josep Edou

23. G. Roger Belinga

24. Louis P. Motaze

25. Meva Eboutou

26. Roger Melingui

27. Pierre Titi

28. S. Mounchipou

29. Gregoire Owona

30. Patricia Enam

31. E. Mongori

32. Nyamsi Mongue

33. Charles Tawamba

34. Laurent Nkodo

35. P. Ngamo Hamani

36. A. Manga Massina

37. Rebecca Ndedi

38. Alain Edgar Mebe Ngoa

39. Perrial Nyodog

40. Lucien Meva

41. J. Njomatchoua

42. Caroline Abah Abah

43. Foumane Akame

Treasury Paymaster General.

--- End forwarded message ---

[kehbohng alias brain]

Yes Boy Inno, What article. Everything in place. Carry on boy. you have a pen that runs and laugh.
Brozo

[kehbohng alias brain]

Who shall be the next to follow the Boss? em em.... his nearest neighbour might pity my curousity with an answer to this question. I can imagin what will follow in a country with is a constitutional arrangement providing for Chaos after the passing away of her leader. I wonder why someone will harbour a vission that will bring his country to her kneels as a price for his transition? After lets hope the people of Gabon go through their interegnum succeesfully as her nearest neighbour awaits hers. God save our souls.

[Sama]

The fear of the Lord
Psalm 34: 9- 10
If I have more un met need in my life it means I do not have the fear of the lord
You cannot trust God when you don’t fear Him
The fear of the Lord it is a fundamental component of a true relationship
The fear of the Lord - it is the centrality of the Christian experience
If you possess the learning without the fear of the Lord, it is like the man who has been entrusted with the keys of an inner court but not with the keys of the outer court – how is he to enter?
Without the fear of God – there is no knowledge of God
Our learning of God is just intellectual
Our walk with God is not merely an intellectual exercise
You may be well versed in scripture and doctrine yet if you do not fear the Lord, then you do not know the Lord who wrote the scriptures
It is only when your heart is fully yielded to God’s Word and commands that you can understand the fear of the Lord – then you will reside in God’s perfect plan for your life
What ever I do which is against God is because I do not have the fear of the Lord
Act 10:34-34 NLT
When you don’t know the fear of the Lord you cannot understand scriptures
Jews tradition has it that when a person leaves this world God asks him questions:
1. Were you honest?
2. Did you study the Torah/Bible?
3. Did you wait for the Messiah?
If a person has spent his life in faithful devotion to the Lord and can answer yes to all the questions: he will then be asked

DID YOU LIVE IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD?
If the answer is NO, he will be told that all of his previous answers are worthless
If the answer is NO, you will be told that all of your previous answers are worthless
Without the fear of the Lord there is no accomplishment -regardless of how righteous or significant it might have seemed
2 Corinthians 7: 1 NLT
When one is consumed by the fear of the Lord – his whole life is affected
When one is consumed by the fear of the Lord – his whole way of life is affected
This includes how:
• He spends his time
• He spends his money
• How he talks
• The places he visits
• The pleasures that he seeks
• The company that he keeps
Why should God reveal himself to you when you have no fear of God?
Living in the fear of God fills one with awareness that you cannot escape from God’s presence
Acts 10: 2, 4 NLT
What qualified Cornelius to have a visitation of an angel was the fear of God
God appreciated Cornelius’ fear of God and He sent an angel to him
Every moment that you spend – you spend in His company whether you are conscious of it or not
This ever abiding presence of God gives us great significance to the consequences of every choice we make
Why did God send angel to Cornelius – Cornelius devotion and fear of God was his everyday part of life?
Devotion and fear of God was easily seen in Cornelius’ everyday life
Such as faith, kindness, trust in the Lord; trust in the future, courage in the face of adversity
Everyday life of Cornelius was such as faith, kindness, trust in the Lord, trust in the future, courage in the face of adversity
Faith, kindness, trust in the Lord, trust in the future, courage in the face of adversity – these are considered as by-products of the fear of God
Faith, kindness, trust in the Lord, trust in the future, courage in the face of adversity – this type of life is marked by an unwavering commitment to the will of God
Cornelius always chose to do the right thing, especially in adversity
Cornelius’ acts of charity were acceptable to the Lord because they were motivated by love and commitment – not self interest or fear of consequences
When you fear God – God will not permit sin to come close enough to inflict harm on you
The further people drift from the Lord - the more foolish they become
The fear of the Lord has got benefits
You cannot change a commandment to suit you
A lot of us when God has opened a door we think it’s us
Psalm 34: 9- 10
Acts 10: 34-35 NLT
2 Corinthians 7: 1 NLT
Acts 10: 2, 4 NLT
Psalm 128

[Stroy]

Really, the problem with some Cameroonians is the inability to respect others' opinions, as seen above in Ras Tuge's contribution. He starts by expressing his desolation about the above author and his articles.I am sure he means well but, really, opinions are to be respected and not liked.We all want to make contributions to improve on the current state of affairs in Africa and by the same token respect all values, and embrace new ideas. We want change but cannot stand anyone who dared challenge old theories and it is mental to realise that we are still fighting with personal opinions meanwhile the rest of the world thrives.
Please,we can all afford the much warranted change if only we start believing in ourselves. It is simple: The French system does not work and probably is the most corrupt system in the world with hardly any rivals. There are 101 reasons and are self-explanatory...Goodluck to Gabon, but God;do we need help in Cameroon!?

[O boy]

Boys Don`t forget that`some of us that we have never seen school in our lives like to read too so write what i can read
Thank`s Men, i try to think of what you people are writing. but i can read. do your best to simplifil things

[LEILA31PAUL]

Houses are not very cheap and not everybody is able to buy it. However, business loans are invented to help people in such kind of hard situations.