By: Esther Aurelio Agira
When we say that history repeats itself, we mean that similar events, patterns, and mistakes tend to occur again and again over time. This happens because people often fail to learn from the past, leads to recuring cycles in politics, society and sometimes even personal lives. Africans’ leaders should not wait too long to understand this reality, and our leaders must also learn from history if they are to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
African leaders, in general and those in East Africa Region in particular should learn from the mistakes of deposed African leaders, as well as from leaders who were forced by their own people to step down or resign. History has shown that no leader is immune to accountability, regardless of how long they remain in power. When the time for change arrives, no one can stop it no matter how dictatorial a leader may be or how powerful they believe themselves to be.
For instance, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir was once regarded as one of the strongest leaders Sudan had ever known. Many Sudanese followed his instructions without question, as he ruled through fear rather than consent. Sharia law dominated Northern Sudan, creating an environment in which Christian lived in constant fear. Some concealed their faith for safety, others were forced to wear Islamic dress, and many were coerced into converting to Islam.
Beyond religious repression, entire communities were marginalized. The people of Darfur, Nubia and Bule Nile among others, endured decades of exclusion, violence, and neglect. For more than thirty years, the people remained silent not because they were content with Al-Bashir’s rule but the moment for change had not yet arrived.
As written in the Bible, Isaiah60:22 states;” when the time is right, I the Lord, will make it happen,’’. In 2019, that moment came with the fall of Omar Al-Bashir. Which reaffirmed a powerful truth: when the time for change arrives no force no matter how oppressive can stop.
few could have believed that former Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Basir would one day be removed from office through a coup. The deposed president Hassan Al-Bashir, a military officer and politician ruled Sudan for more than three decades, wielding immense power and influence. Yet despite his long rule, public dissatisfaction and internal pressure eventually brought his leadership to an end.
Muammar Guddafi was one of the strongest leaders Africa had ever known. He ruled Libya for 42 years. For many years, his leadership brought stability to the country, but in the end, he was violently killed. Whether he was killed by his own people or as part of a conspiracy involving the western world remains a subject of debate. What is undeniable is that most powerful and dominate leader Libya had ever known was overthrown and died in a tragic manner.
What happened to Muammar Gaddafi is a powerful reminder to all dictators. No matter how long president remains in power, his time will eventually come. If the people do not remove him, nature itself will do
The writer, Esther Aurelio Agira can be reached through Telephone no; 0921492857