By Neba-Fuh
When the earth opens its mouth to swallow the remains of Omar Bongo Ondimba- Africa's longest serving despot and one of the world's richest 'non-monarchical' ruler, the question that will linger in the minds of most African progressives is this: "Is it really worth the trouble to amass so much wealth in foreign territories while your people languish in poverty?"
As a human being and moreover, an African, the passing on of a fellow human is always a time of grief for his family and friends. What more of a ruler that has run the affairs of a nation for 41years; a ruler that has taken decisions that meant life or death to many of his compatriots?
The admirable thing about Gabon is its size and resources. In terms of surface area and population it is relatively small compared to many other African countries. It is a country blessed with natural resources: Oil,timber and many other minerals. When one thinks of Gabon, many other countries come to mind: United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and Luxembourg in Europe. These are even smaller countries that have been able to manage their economies meticulously so that every citizen enjoys higher living standards, with the resources available.
But Africa, by some design of fate or by the devilish caprices of seasoned despots, has never enjoyed the benefits of the simple maxim that 'small is beautiful' and of course, better to manage. The Bongo syndrome has eaten up Africa, where small countries like Congo- Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Togo Swaziland and many more, have been on their knees in front of nincompoops in the name of rulers. They squander national resources without pity preferring to inject stolen money into Western economies while their countrymen die in poverty. They establish authoritarian regimes and glide them to undeclared monarchies as the years go by, leaving the people whom power is suppose to belong, helpless, as they survive from the crumbs of their egoistic extravagant rulers. Then, a small nation which could have been an economic paradise is paraded on world stage as a 'poor country' or 'developing country'.
Exacerbating of all is the personality cult that develops as these malicious despots cling to power. A desperate nation starts projecting a 'fatherly image' of a despot, accepting their fate as if it was God's design that tyrants would decide the destiny of a naturally blessed continent like Africa. And before we could realize, despots started willing power to their sons, prolonging the sufferings of the African people.
At this time, there should be varied reasons for mourning in Gabon and other African countries. As the Bongo family, his neighbouring in-laws and his kin lament the demise of their loved one, a serf in the hinterlands of Gabon may just be using this opportunity to mourn for his or her child who passed away due to malaria, a few days or years ago, just because a Bongo autocracy could not construct a simple earth road from his village to a distant health centre, or there was no medicine in a village health centre that could have rescued his child.
Who can conquer death? A path, all of us without exception, will follow! As an African, I mourn too when any despot dies, as a sign of respect to so many Africans whose destinies were cut short by despotic egoism and whom I never dedicate a write-up like this in their memories. If the Biyas,the Nguessos,the Nguemas,the Derbys,the Mugabes,and many others don't doctor their constitution to let their corpses rule their nations, Africa will one day see the light of day as they will all die with their constitutions clung to their chests.
Adieu Bongo! Rest In Peace and may your son not arise!
Comments