Early lessons of 2016
A decade or so ago, under the umbrella protection of national sovereignty, a citizen can be imprisoned without trial, executed summarily, entire ethnic groups deprived of basic human rights, and the only consequences internationally would be mere condemnation and a few articles in the press. Not so nowadays.
Not only can the repercussions be swift, even across borders, thanks to social media, but worse, it is impossible to gauge the full ramifications of such acts.
Within days of the execution of one man, we watch and read about violent external reactions, the full ramifications of which are still to unfold. And this is happening to a very powerful country with very powerful allies.
Also within three days of the new year, we read the open criticism by the US, of one of Africa’s development successes, and erstwhile darling of development partners, Rwanda, for the third-term bid of its President. Again whether it will go the route of neighboring Burundi is anybody’s guess. In all three countries the security apparatus of the state is in firm control of the society. Like so many other situations in the past, relying on the police and military to manage internal dissent provides only a temporary palliative. What is sad about all this is that so many innocent people will suffer before the inevitable will occur.
A natural instinct essential for the survival of all species is the ability to learn lessons – from errors and successes. Can anyone explain why in the political sphere many leaders lose this instinct after some time in power?
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