When Francois Bozize came to power through a coup in 2003, ousting his predecessor Ange – Felix Patasse and later on rigging elections to cling on power little did he know that, the basket of a barrel of a gun that brought him to power will be the same measuring scales that have ended his political career.

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Bozizé rose to become a high-ranking army officer in the 1970s, under the regime of Jean- Bedel Bokassa  after Bokassa was ousted, Bozizé served in the government as Minister of Defense from 1979 to 1981 and as Minister of Information from 1981 to 1982. He participated in a failed 1982 coup attempt against President André Kolingba and subsequently fled the country. Years later, he served as Army Chief of Staff under President  Ange-Felix Patasse but he began a rebellion against Patassé in 2001 which successfully ousted  his predecessor.

As the saying goes, a parent who steals while the kid on the back is watching should not complain when the same kid steals from her, this is exactly the politics of Africa. From Milton Obote of Uganda who for years nurtured and promoted   Idi Amin Dada who later ousted him in 1971 Coup. Furthermore from Sudan the likes of President   Gaafar Muhammad an-Nimeiry his successor Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir, Congo Brazville Denis   Sassou Nguesso and many more have failed to grasp the dynamics of politics on the African continent.

Interestingly many African presidents start by condemning their predecessors that the cause of instability in Africa is the long stay in power, this song amusingly was sang by the François Bozize and immediately after seizing power said he would not run in a planned future presidential election, but after the successful constitutional referendum, he announced his intention to stand as a candidate on 11 December:

“After thinking thoroughly, and being deeply convinced and keeping in mind the nation’s interest, I grasped the deep sense of my people’s calls. As a citizen, I’ll take my responsibility. I’ll contest the election to achieve the task of rebuilding the country, which is dear to me and according to your wish”

 

Unfortunately these days the President of Rwanda who like his counterpart in Central African country came to power after the death of many Rwandans in genocide and extra judicial killings he orchestrated using his security forces, he is now crisscrossing his tiny country presenting himself as the only man that can steer the country and according to his agents without him, Rwanda will again slide to chaos and instability.

Kagame opened the gates of hell for his own people and his neighbors, through his proxies to fight his wars so that he can dominate the region and loot and plunder wealth from his vast neighbor Congo.  He has used personalities like Laurent Nkunda, Bosco Ntaganda and unfortunately after using them, he discards them in the bin like disposable tissues. As the fate of Laurent Nkunda hangs in the balance, his comrade and successor is already in the custody of the International Criminal Court.

It is not clear if the days Ntaganda entered Rwanda were under counselling and briefing on how his long journey to The Hague will be and possibly how he will defend his mentor (Kagame) in terminating every person that they disagree with. What is clear though is that Ntaganda might throw some light on the character of president Kagame who is regarded as the merchant of death in the region.

Indeed, he has killed his enemies and friends alike, he has muzzled all the free press in the country, denied political pluralism in the country all the people perceived to be political opponents, he has either killed or incarcerated them. Unfortunately, for reasons not clear the international community has continued to handle this man considered as the Pinochet of Africa with soft gloves. But make no mistake; Kagame has mastered the geo-politics of the international community, as long you don’t oppose the interests of  the United States and UK, the chances of your long reign is guaranteed. This is exactly what Kagame has managed to do; he has spent the tax payer’s money on trips to US almost on every month, holding lectures with US Harvard Economics Prof. Porter. He has further established presidential advisory council which include among others, the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who is paid handsomely from donor money and the Rwandan Tax Payers funds and in return defends the Rwandan dictator in the international media.

The recent successful economic squeeze by the international donor countries against the notorious regime of Kagane for crimes against humanity in Congo should be the same  tool used by the donor countries to urge the Rwandan dictator to flee all the political prisoners like Ingabire Victoire, Deo Mushayid, Bernard Ntaganda and unconditional return  of  other political activists in the Diaspora who were sentenced in absentia not because they are  criminals but simply because they have different political agenda with Kagame and his RPF Party.

There is no doubt that the current seizure of power in the Central African Republic by rebel forces calling themselves the “Seleka Coalition is a lesson  to Francois Bozize  but also a reminder to all the African dictators that , when you use a sword on others , the sword might one day be used against you. Whereas initially Francois Bozize received cordial support from the International Community especially US and its former colonial master France, the offensive of the Seleka rebels was not condemned by those Five Star countries, it’s on the record that on 27 December 2012, CAR President Francois Bozizé requested international assistance to help with the rebellion, in particular from France  and the United States,  French President Francois Hollande rejected the plea, saying that the 250 French troops stationed at Bangui M’Poko International Airport are there “in no way to intervene in the internal affairs”.

Is Kagame aware that the same fate might befall on him if he continues to hunt, kill, all the people who have different political views with him? If African leaders could learn a lesson, Francois Bozize would be the best model to demonstrate this point in time and Kagame would be the best student since he came to power after the worst massacre of the innocent people in Rwanda in the modern history.

Jacqueline Umurungi

Brussels