When President Kabbah is no Longer the King of his Domain
By Victor A. Massaquoi, MSc. (Ph.D. student-communication studies)
Political pundits, philosophical thinkers and social scientists have always wondered what would happen to a retiring or former head of state or head of government (depending on the political system of a country), after he or she leaves the highest political office of a land. Based on how they leave office (some leave office by palace coup, others by the barrel of the gun, others in absolute disgrace, while others leave by constitutional proviso).
Many political observers have suggested that when heads of state or heads of government leave office, they engage in business with former cronies until death pays an unwelcome visit. Others say they would go on a long vacation to a different continent other than the one they come from for a much needed rest. Some believe that they would go to the village or town they come from and engage in farming, spending time with family members and re-acclimatizing to their former surrounding. Others believe that golfing (maybe with Tiger Woods), political activism, drinking beer, watching football, fiddling with young girls, acting as a source for political advice, and many other suggestions of how theses people would supposedly spend their last days continue to saturate recent political discourse.
Unfortunately, some do not have plans for retirement either because of the manner in which they become former head of state or head of government, or, because, the political culture (including the constitution) of a country does not make provision for its retiring or retired head of state or head of government. The situation with Mr. V. Strasser and Mr. M. Bio is complex and too difficult to explain. However, one can safely say that there are legal technicalities involve in executing the provisions in the Sierra Leone constitution that deal with benefits for retired head of state. Our present head of state, Tejan Kabbah, is in a different situation. He would get what the constitution provides.
In less than two years, he will (per constitutional provision) relinquish power to whoever divine destiny has chosen to run the ship of state. The questions ordinary Sierra Leoneans are asking are where would he go after his two term stint in office? What would he do to keep busy until the inevitable strikes? What would be his legacy when historians sit down to re-write the history of Sierra Leone? What is the perception of President Kabbah by ordinary Sierra Leoneans?
People who know President Kabbah tell me that he may retire in Kambia to pursue his passion-food production. If this is correct, then let the trumpet sound for the people of Sierra Leone. President Kabbah is a man who possesses incredible academic credential, wonderful social skills and other fine human qualities that would dazzle anybody, some of his friends have told me in New York. However, he is not a tough, rough, arm-twisting politician, like Siaka Stevens. President Kabbah is administrative in orientation yet lacks political management skills. But a friend of mine made an interesting observation while discussing the philosophical foundations for political communication in the 21st century, he said, if President Kabbah lacks political skills how come he has been in power for two terms, although with limited successes in the provision social and other basic necessities. Furthermore, he has a law degree, which means, in his preliminary studies at law school in London, he took classes in the different branches of law, including criminal law, political law, business law, international law and the like.
After that little distraction about the person of President Kabbah, the public would like to know, where President Kabbah would be retiring, what he would be doing and whether the country would continue to benefit from his international connections, his skills and support. President Clinton could not run for a third term because the constitution barred him from doing that. But he retired in Harlem, New York, where he is making huge community impact among people of all color, background and economic status. Maybe president Kabbah will be flying all over the world giving paid speeches/lectures. Or maybe, return to the bar and practice law. We may never know until he tells us when he hands over power to a successor in 2007. Indeed, the world is a stage; everyone comes, plays his or her part and disappears. For President Kabbah, we may never know.
-30-
By Victor A. Massaquoi, MSc. (Ph.D. student-communication studies)
Political pundits, philosophical thinkers and social scientists have always wondered what would happen to a retiring or former head of state or head of government (depending on the political system of a country), after he or she leaves the highest political office of a land. Based on how they leave office (some leave office by palace coup, others by the barrel of the gun, others in absolute disgrace, while others leave by constitutional proviso).
Many political observers have suggested that when heads of state or heads of government leave office, they engage in business with former cronies until death pays an unwelcome visit. Others say they would go on a long vacation to a different continent other than the one they come from for a much needed rest. Some believe that they would go to the village or town they come from and engage in farming, spending time with family members and re-acclimatizing to their former surrounding. Others believe that golfing (maybe with Tiger Woods), political activism, drinking beer, watching football, fiddling with young girls, acting as a source for political advice, and many other suggestions of how theses people would supposedly spend their last days continue to saturate recent political discourse.
Unfortunately, some do not have plans for retirement either because of the manner in which they become former head of state or head of government, or, because, the political culture (including the constitution) of a country does not make provision for its retiring or retired head of state or head of government. The situation with Mr. V. Strasser and Mr. M. Bio is complex and too difficult to explain. However, one can safely say that there are legal technicalities involve in executing the provisions in the Sierra Leone constitution that deal with benefits for retired head of state. Our present head of state, Tejan Kabbah, is in a different situation. He would get what the constitution provides.
In less than two years, he will (per constitutional provision) relinquish power to whoever divine destiny has chosen to run the ship of state. The questions ordinary Sierra Leoneans are asking are where would he go after his two term stint in office? What would he do to keep busy until the inevitable strikes? What would be his legacy when historians sit down to re-write the history of Sierra Leone? What is the perception of President Kabbah by ordinary Sierra Leoneans?
People who know President Kabbah tell me that he may retire in Kambia to pursue his passion-food production. If this is correct, then let the trumpet sound for the people of Sierra Leone. President Kabbah is a man who possesses incredible academic credential, wonderful social skills and other fine human qualities that would dazzle anybody, some of his friends have told me in New York. However, he is not a tough, rough, arm-twisting politician, like Siaka Stevens. President Kabbah is administrative in orientation yet lacks political management skills. But a friend of mine made an interesting observation while discussing the philosophical foundations for political communication in the 21st century, he said, if President Kabbah lacks political skills how come he has been in power for two terms, although with limited successes in the provision social and other basic necessities. Furthermore, he has a law degree, which means, in his preliminary studies at law school in London, he took classes in the different branches of law, including criminal law, political law, business law, international law and the like.
After that little distraction about the person of President Kabbah, the public would like to know, where President Kabbah would be retiring, what he would be doing and whether the country would continue to benefit from his international connections, his skills and support. President Clinton could not run for a third term because the constitution barred him from doing that. But he retired in Harlem, New York, where he is making huge community impact among people of all color, background and economic status. Maybe president Kabbah will be flying all over the world giving paid speeches/lectures. Or maybe, return to the bar and practice law. We may never know until he tells us when he hands over power to a successor in 2007. Indeed, the world is a stage; everyone comes, plays his or her part and disappears. For President Kabbah, we may never know.
-30-
posted by Vickylandys | 12:03 PM
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