So Laurent Gbagbo, the so-called president of Ivory Coast has refused to let go his illegitimate seat, despite threat and counter-threat from every quarters? Regrettable and horrible, but not surprising, if you consider that it's Africa where politics is practiced with high degree of rancour.
We claim to follow the Western world, yet our greed would not allow us go over the next level.
While we are busy vilifying Gbagbo, one thing you cannot blame him for is this - he is in Africa, where everything goes. The case of Mugabe and Tsvangirai (Gawd,I hope I spelt it right) is still fresh in our memory.
This is Africa, where politics is a do-or-die affair (a la OBJ),where rigging is the order of the day, where politics of 'chop-I-chop' isn't bad,where only money matters in politics(what else would we say,when one leaves a more respected seat as a senator,to become a Governor so as to control resources), where out of power,souls are sold to the devil...I could go on and on.
Gbagbo's case can be seen amongst even Village Heads. So while leaders in Africa try to criticize Gbagbo,they should tarry a while and check what happens in their own country.
While Gbagbo's attitude is condemnable,let us also push a bit of the blame to the society that produced him.
One thing is sure. More of these would happen,if we in Africa do not change the kind of politics we play. My hunch tells me it would take a long while before it happens,simply meaning we have yet many Gbagbos to tackle!!