Kudos to Former President Mogae

Mmegi Editor | Thursday January 14, 2016 11:34

The continent desperately needs people of Mogae’s calibre for it to prosper and realise its dream of African solutions for African problems. We say this because despite all evidence that his successor has shortcomings, Mogae peacefully handed power after serving two terms in office. He may have had his shortcomings, but he served well until his last day.

During his term, he was harshly criticised, but he engaged his opponents in debate, something we are convinced made him the Statesman he is today.

In 2014 Mogae, among other former heads of State, was deployed by the African Union (AU) to douse fires between warring opponents in Egypt, following the removal of President Mohammed Morsi. The mediation mission was full of challenges as the opponents were armed and that there was an element of religious influence in the conflict. The powerful Egyptian army was also at the centre of the conflict.

It took months before the parties could agree on the way forward among others agreeing on the day of elections and a new Constitution. As we speak, Egypt is enjoying a certain degree of stability and we hope that they will maintain the status quo until it becomes a culture.

The latest news we are getting is that Mogae and his team of mediators have calmed the emotions in Africa’s youngest country, South Sudan. Born approximately four years ago, out of secession from Sudan, this country has never enjoyed peace.

Two powerful leaders, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar are at loggerheads over the running of the country and this has affected millions of innocent citizens. Thousands of lives have been lost in this conflict whilst other hundreds of thousands have been misplaced. This is a bad indictment on the African Union, which ultimately found it proper to send a mission to mediate between the warring parties. They have agreed to form a government of national unity, which will take the country to elections at a later stage.

We should commend Mogae for this achievement of bringing under the same roof two men that did not see eye to eye. The AU should be commended for taking this initiative.

We also wish the people of South Sudan a long lasting peace and prosperity.

We hope that the AU will also intensify its efforts to bring peace to other troubled spots in the continent such as Burundi and the Central African Republic, amongst others.

Without peace and security, this continent is doomed.

Today’s thought

Remember, the storm is a good opportunity for the pine and the cypress to show their strength and their stability.

-Ho Chi Minh