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Leadership in Crisisby S.A. Johnston
03 November 2005
AnaiRhoads.org - Over the last month a wave of political instability swept throughout West Africa,
giving rise to concerns about the foundation of West African leadership. Recently,
leaders have called for suspension of key political and military players.
This dissolution could deepen an already severe distrust of authority and bring civil
war to nations on the brink.
Cote D’Ivoire
More than three years ago Cote D’Ivoire a rebellion attempted to oust President Laurent
Gbagbo from power. The coup failed to overthrow Gbagbo and his officials, so the
nation divided into two camps. The opposition continues to strengthen against Gbagbo
and threats to overthrow his government remain.
President Gbagdo still claims the high office in Cote D’Ivoire. His term ended, but he
declines to step down and allow the opposition to take over. He claims he will continue
to provide leadership until peaceful elections can be held.
Elections were to be held on October 30th, but UN officials deferred them because of
warring factions. Both the UN and the African Union have since proposed that Gbagdo remain
in office for a maximum of 12 months. Opposition parties declined this proposal and have
insisted that Gbagdo remove himself to allow the opposition elected Prime Minister
Guilluame Soro into office.
Guinea-Bissau
On October 3, 2005 President elect, Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira was sworn in with a 52%
majority vote. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau (PAIGC) led the
Transitional Government and received 48% of the votes with candidate Malam Bacai Sanha.
PAIGC controls the majority of Parliament seats and, last year, elected Carlos Gomes Junior as Prime Minister.
Over the weekend, President Vieira dismissed Prime Minister Gomes Junior because of
irreconcilable differences towards government operations. This action raised questions
to the next step, if the ruling party (PAIGC) and the President are unable to agree on a
Prime Minister, then the current Parliament must be disbanded and elections to be held
within 90 days for a new Parliament. All of which increases the possibility of uprising
and political instability at a time when international aid is greatly needed.
On November 2, 2005, President Vieira selected a new Prime Minister, Aristides Gomes who
headed Vieira’s political campaign for President. Controversy ensued shortly thereafter
as the PAIGC called into question Pres. Vieira’s actions. Under the constitution, the
PAIGC must select a Prime Minister since the party rules the majority of Parliament. By
ignoring PAIGC’s suggestions for Prime Minister, he has jeopardized international funding
even more, as his actions indicate a lack of cooperation and tolerance within government.
Chad
Earlier this month, over 40 soldiers of the Presidential Guard absconded from the Capital
of N’djamena and went to Eastern Chad where tensions with Sudanese rebels transpire. Pres.
Deby has been criticized for his lack of involvement in Eastern Chad when hostilities from
Darfur rebels spill over. In 1990, Pres. Deby was backed by the Sudanese government when
he led a coup to overthrow the government and take over. Several believe his past
involvement in Sudan induces his deficient concern for citizens, even though Deby has
voiced apprehension toward the Sudanese government.
However, with soldiers deserting their posts and ignoring the commands of the President,
Deby completed an unprecedented action and discharged the Presidential Guard this past
weekend. Observers query the authenticity of the President without the 5,000 man army
behind him and believe it may lead to regime collapse as the action indicates difficulties
within the government.
An Epidemic
With detrimental elections drawing near for Gabon, Burkina Faso, and Liberia the
difficulties in neighboring countries may spill over and lead to a greater epidemic of
political instability throughout West Africa. Hopefully, these three nations will learn
from the problems of the past and with current regimes in other parts of West Africa to
begin a new epidemic of peace, freedom and stability.
S.A. Johnston has a B.A in Politics and Government from the University of Puget Sound and is pursuing a M.A.
in Liberal Studies at the University of Denver.
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