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A good example from Madagascar
By Sun News Publishing
Monday, March 9, 2009
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The Defence Minister of Madagascar, Cecil Manorohanta, recently
set a good example of responsible leadership with her resignation
over the killing of 28 demonstrators by security forces in the country.
Explaining her decision in a statement broadcast on a private radio
channel, the former minister said her conscience could not endure
the bloodshed. She expressed her condolences and moral support for
the families of the victims.
The attack on demonstrators in Madagascar occurred amidst a bitter
power tussle between President Marc Ravalomanna and opposition leader,
Andy Rajoeline.
The latter had organized a rally which attracted some 20,000 people,
during which he announced a “transition authority” and
named a “Prime Minister.” Thousands of demonstrators
from the rally had embarked on a march towards the presidential
compound when security officers opened fire on them, killing 28
and wounding more than 200. The dead have since been buried and
the Defence Minister replaced by Chief of Military Staff, Mamy Ranaivoniarivo.
The resignation of Manorohanta is commendable and worthy of emulation
by all leaders. The lesson from the resignation is her acceptance
of responsibility for the tragic incident. She also demonstrated
contrition over the despicable conduct of that country’s security
forces, and the loss of so many lives.
For a continent like Africa that is bedeviled by sit-tight leaders
who cling tenaciously to public office, with hardened hearts and
glazed consciences, the example from Madagascar is timely and instructive.
The message from the country is that leaders should be able to empathise
with the people, take responsibility for the conduct of their subordinates
and demonstrate remorse when occasions call for it.
Unfortunately in Nigeria and many parts of Africa today, we have
leaders who cannot sympathise with the people they lead. We have
leaders who cannot obey their consciences and take the path of honour
when it is necessary to do so, because of love of the perks of office.
We commend the conduct of Madagascar’s Defence Minister to
all Nigerian and Africa leaders. They should take a cue from her
aversion to bloodshed and the intolerance of the poor conduct of
officers under her control. In many African countries today, shedding
of blood is regarded lightly and condoned, if not approved, by public
officers.
Citizens are manhandled, wounded and sometimes killed for demonstrating
against unjust policies and decisions of the government without
any compunction. There is very little respect for human life. Extra-judicial
killing by security officials hardly bother our leaders. Avoidable
shedding of blood has become a way of life.
By her resignation, Manorohanta has sent a strong message that the
action of the security forces is reprehensible, unjustifiable and
unacceptable. She has demonstrated, in bold relief, the great premium
that is placed on life in the country. She has sent a signal that
the police and other security agencies should be more civil in handling
demonstrators.
The authorities of that country should move a step further by bringing
those who are directly responsible for the killings to book. Nigerian
and other African security agencies should learn from the example
from Madagascar and eschew violence in the handling of the opposition.
Many people have been killed at demonstrations and in other instances
of extra-judicial killings in Nigeria with no senior security officials
accepting responsibility for the killings, much less resigning their
appointments.
Our leaders need to develop brittle consciences that are easily
troubled over occurrences of injustice against the people. This,
undoubtedly, will help in our effort to build a just and humane
society.
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