Kenyan leaders should learn from chaos in Burkina Faso and Burundi

I am writing this from Dakar, Senegal, where I am attending a meeting with African pro-democracy activists, learning best practices from one another. It is always an uplifting and humbling experience to listen to people whose hope, focus and determination has no bounds.

The lessons from Burkina Faso have been especially engaging. Last year, the Burkinabe arose together, to stand up against the efforts of the then President Blaise Compaore to extend his stay in power.

After 27 years, Mr Compaore had gotten used to manipulating his people and he thought that he could do it one more time. But this time proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. He was driven out of power, and into exile, on October 31, when millions of Burkinabe went into the streets to stop MPs from voting on the amendment law.

Like our own lawmakers, Burkinabe MPs were ready to do the bidding of Compaore and he had them taken to a hotel to be “lobbied” before being ferried to vote. These tactics incensed the people even more.

Feted internationally as a peace-maker, and an ally in the “war against terror,” Mr Compaore tried to amend the constitution to allow an extra term, or two, in office. But like many politicians, he did not listen to the people, who though some of the poorest in the world, and some of the most desperate, were in dire need of new blood and new ideas for governance.

Blaise Compaore’s arrogance was incredible. As early as January, 500,000 people had protested against the idea of changing the law. He did not listen. Mediation was attempted but he undermined it, thinking he could pull a fast one and “manage” the crisis. But it all failed.

There are some interesting lessons for us in Kenya. For one, the people of Burkina Faso refused to forget the assassination of Nobert Zongo, an editor and publisher murdered in 1998, while investigating the killing of a driver who worked for President Compaore’s brother. Year after year, civil society feted Nobert Zongo and carried his story and calls for accountability for his killing across the country. So much so, that “Justice for Nobert Zongo” became one of the rallying cries for change.

Second, the role of youth was massive. For most, Compaore was the only President they had known and they, not unreasonably, attributed all their frustrations, stagnation, marginalisation and poverty to him. And it was the merger of youth movements, civil society and opposition parties that eventually broke Compaore.

It is striking how often political leaders try to do that one more extra thing for themselves at the expense of their countries, when it would be easier to focus on the national interest, and in the process provide a wonderful legacy and establish the foundation for peace, stability and development.

For instance, today, Burundians are anxious as President Pierre Nkurunziza seemingly prepares the ground for an extra term in office. He may well get it, but the damage his contesting will do to the country will last a long time.

A few weeks ago, tens of thousands of Burundians turned up in a spontaneous assembly to welcome the release of journalist Bob Rugurika, a strong critique of President Nkurunziza’s plans for a third term. It was the biggest protest in years in Bujumbura and there could be more of these if Nkurunziza continues his plans — which security forces have urged against, resulting in the removal of the head of intelligence.

It seems easier for Nkurunziza to step down than force a third term. He would go down in history as honouring the rule of law, and start a tradition of peaceful change in Burundi, which should be worth more than an illegal third term.

But if he succeeds, prepare for similar talk in Kenya.

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