African developments overshadowed again

Supporters of the All Basotho Convention celebrate on June 4, 2017 after their candidate had won in the constituency of Matsieng on the outskirts of Maseru, Lesotho PHOTO | GIANLUIGI GUERCI | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Former Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane ousted incumbent and perennial challenger Pakalitha Mosisili.

  • Equally given short shrift by the Western media were the efforts at attaining peace in South Sudan.

  • More attractive to the Western media are the bemusing antics of African leaders, especially when they provide windows for ridiculing and vilifying the continent.

As the first half of the year nears its end, developments in Africa are once again being overshadowed by events in the northern hemisphere.

In the past week, for instance, the British snap election dominated headlines and its aftermath is still a hot topic globally.

The centre of attention is beleaguered premier Theresa May as she fights for political survival.

Paradoxically, the Lesotho snap election just days before the British one barely made the inside pages in the Western media.

The tiny African country is of little importance at a time like this.

Former Lesotho premier Tom Thabane ousted incumbent and perennial challenger Pakalitha Mosisili. The outcome resulted in a hung parliament, necessitating frantic coalition building efforts just like in Britain.

Equally given short shrift by the Western media were the efforts at attaining peace in South Sudan, where several deals were recently signed. The latest rapprochement, whatever its worth given the country’s volatility, was between President Salva Kiir and former supporters of exiled former vice-President Riek Machar.

More attractive to the Western media are the bemusing antics of African leaders, especially when they provide windows for ridiculing and vilifying the continent.

A case in point is the saga of ailing leaders seeking treatment outside Africa.

Past culprits have included Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, but in recent times the list has grown to include luminaries like Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari.

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Apparently in dire straits medically, he is still on a “medical vacation” in London. He was expected home with his wife Aisha on Tuesday, but she landed alone. 

Angola’s President José Eduardo dos Santos is reportedly being treated in Spain. Rumoured to have suffered a stroke last month, the reclusive Santos is a frequent visitor to the European country.

In the meantime, a veil of secrecy surrounds the issue of Benin's President Patrice Talon, whose week-long stay in France has fuelled rumours. The speculation hit a peak when Talon, 59, failed to appear at a cabinet meeting on May 31 and at the Ecowas summit in Liberia on June 4.

Amid denials that the head of state was ailing, there was at least an admission by foreign minister Aurelien Agbenonci that Talon was in Paris “taking advantage of his stay to do a health check”.

In a continent where the leaders’ health has become anathema, 93-year-old Mugabe somehow continues to confound many as he does not seem to be in a hurry to give up power. He will be seeking re-election next year.

These developments aside, Western media limelight is likely to be reserved for such events as the recent French election and the just-ended snap poll in Britain.