bongo

Is not dead? Is dead? Is really dead.

In the age old African big dada tradition, an ageing leader has passed away in a European ‘clinic’. I love the word clinic, it implies something modest and humble. What it is though is a private clinic, an exorbitantly expensive place to get private care with the utmost discretion. I can honestly say that I know very little about Gabon’s President, Omar Bongo Ondimba. What struck me was the pattern of death, denial and final confirmation announced amidst the sound of much scuffling for power in the background.

I have often felt that leaders, especially African leaders, should be obligated to seek medical treatment in their own countries. It should be law, some sort of United Nations law, the kind that comes with lethal sanctions if contravened.  Alas such scoundrels have long-ago found sanction loop holes. Without casting my gaze very far from South Africa we have:

• Our dear neighbour Mugabe. Known to go to Singapore for special medical treatment.
• From our neighbouring tropical kingdom reigns King Mswati III. Amongst his many extravagant perks as an absolute monarch is private medical care abroad.
• In the other African powerhouse to the west lies Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua. Also known for receiving the caring assistance of the European medical profession.

In fact you could apply this same law to education as most of these same leaders will often send their children to be educated abroad. But that is for another post…

These leaders may have redeeming qualities about them, but what lies in common is that they have often governed over what is essentially the plundering of any wealth their country has to offer. They often have a convoluted system of patronage that has enriched a minority clique at the expense of the masses of the poor. Their rise to power is often entertwined with their relationship to a European country, some throwback of colonial legacy. Oh Africa, if there is such a thing as continental karma, it’s heavy on your shoulders now.

In Africa speaking ill of the dead is a very bad thing. Omar is being lauded for all his positives. I am sure there are many but let’s not forget this shameful side of his greed.