[Ugnet] Do rebels make good leaders?

[Edward Mulindwa]

From: kbnkmcm To: RWANDANET Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 9:24 AM Subject: [rwandanet] Do rebels make good leaders? Do rebels make good leaders? Do rebel turned leaders, like Rwanda's Paul Kagame, have unique qualities? This week on Africa Live we are discussing rebels turned presidents. How do former rebels act when in power? Former rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza will be sworn in as president of Burundi next Friday, following his movement's victory in both municipal and parliamentary elections earlier this year. We want you to assess how the many presidents across Africa who used to be rebels, both past and present, shape up once they gain power constitutionally. Is your country led by a former rebel? Do their experiences as a rebel characterise or influence their leadership? Does constitutionally-gained power change them? Are they different to other leaders? Is it true to say: "Once a rebel, always a rebel"? Send us your comments and experiences using the form on the right, or text us to +44 (0) 7786 202 008. If you would like to take part in the Africa Live programme on Wednesday 24 August at 1630 and 1830 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published. Your comments: What is wrong is wrong, they did not follow the rule of law Kwaku Sakyi-Danso, Accra, Ghana These rebels are robbers and not leaders, my God! They come to power illegally and kill people left right and centre. What is wrong is wrong, they did not follow the rule of law from the beginning and cannot deceive us that when they come to power they will be changed people. Kwaku Sakyi-Danso, Accra, Ghana Yes and No. It all depends on the circumstances under which one becomes a leader. If it is through dialogue like the case of Burundi, then the theory holds water. Dialogue is a good foundation for visionary leadership. Musemakweri, Rwanda/USA I think it depends on the very nature of the rebel leader. There are some leaders with a vision and good charisma that lead their countries. Men like Yuweri Musevini and Nelson Mandela are good examples for this category, but others are terrible as hell, and their only goal is to be another bloodthirsty dictator. In my judgement leaders are best if they have the confidence of the majority, and that can only be assured through democratic ways. Unfortunately, in Africa if you want to be a leader, the gun is your best bet. Birre Dhooye, USA No, they bring war and untold suffering to their people Kofi. E. Sarfo, Ghana/USA No. Rebels derail development and destabilise legitimate governments.They bring war and untold suffering to their people, and the only place suitable for them is jail, not leadership positions. Kofi. E. Sarfo, Ghana/USA Only time can tell. Niyi Adeyemi, Canada Rebels, warlords, and generals should be automatically barred from politics. Most rebel movements may start out as a cause for freedom but most end off becoming a business of terrorizing the civilians. If there is only one person in the country who is capable of leading the military and the government then I would be wary of that county's future. Richard, USA / Liberia Yes, their experience as rebel leaders would definitely influence their leadership skills Tamrat, Ethiopia My answer is yes, their experience as rebel leaders would definitely influence their leadership skills when they become president/prime minister. If you look at most of the current african leaders, Afewerki of Eritrea and Zenawi of Ethiopia, they still think with their muscles not their brains. They believe in silencing their opponents instead of negotiating or resolving a particular issue. Tamrat, Ethiopia Let us not forget that it was rebel leaders that led us out of colonialism. They will make good leaders only if they relinquish power early. For example Museveni is now losing his past glory simply because of entrenching himself in power. Hillary Taban, Sudanese in Uk The years have taken their toll; their minds have been conditioned to think within the box and not outside it. While the state office requires the individual to be loyal to the entire nation, the former rebel leader has been conditioned to be loyal to his ethnic group. The danger here is that they are in a position to create more damage than the former military leaders. The future of Africa will be in jeopardy as more children become adults in these ethnically divided states that are headed by former rebel leaders. Makonnen Ketema, Kingston, Jamaica I really have no hope in rebel wannabe leaders. Most of them misused the terms such as liberation, freedom and justice, because after they gain power they turn away from the things they first stand for and became monsters like Robert Mugabe. All I can say is they are greedy, greedy, greedy! loremo kamanda, USA Yes and No for John Garange (Sudan) and Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia), respectively. John Gharange loved his people and they loved him to death. Meles Zenawi is killing the people who protested against him for rigging their votes, therefore, he is widely hated by his own people. It's just hard for a former rebel leader to let go of the power he earned through war. Ethiopiawi, Cambridge, USA Rebels are human beings like you and I. They make mistakes like anybody else. Nkundabatware, Guatemala Rebel leaders are all wolves in sheep clothing David Magezi, UK Rebel leaders are all wolves in sheep clothing. They have virtually nothing to offer. Ayuk, Cameroon One unfortunate reality of rebels becoming leaders, is they very often do not think of an exit strategy, once they assume power. Nelson Mandela has led the way for Africa. We hope that this serves as a lesson on the fact that there is life after public office in Africa. David Magezi, UK The part we Africans fail to understand is that there is a big difference between rebel leaders and freedom fighters. While freedom fighters end up being icons like Mandela, rebel leaders end up being a dictator like Meles. Dawit , Canada A rebel is a rebel because he is thirsty for power. They want to do anything possible to get into power. Would you call that a good leader? Campbel, England Rebel leaders do not have the diplomacy required to govern in politics. Eseme Ojaruega, Dominican Republic Their rule is often as ruthless as their rise to power Gareth Dewa, USA The difficulty is a lot of rebels are ruthless individuals in the first place, that is how they lead, so their rule is often as ruthless as their rise to power. Generally they do not make good leaders in societies which are striving for democracy. Leaders who are voted in are much better at being kept in line by the public they serve. Gareth Dewa, USA Very rarely, but there are some who mature over the years and become great leaders that Africa is proud of. Look at Meles Zenawi, he is one of the most influencial leaders of Africa. Hiwot , San Francisco History has proven that a rebel will always remain a rebel. But running a country should be left to be done by men and women with proven integrity. Take a look around the world - Every country rebels have run or ruled always ends up a mess; Cuba, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, etc. They should focus on their goal which is bringing equalities and opportunities for thier people, and leave the running of their countries for "real politicans." Iyke, USA A rebel leader who condones rape and other atrocities certainly will not make a good leader Kingsley Ezenekwe, Nigeria A rebel leader who condones rape and other atrocities certainly will not make a good leader. "By their fruits you shall know them". Kingsley Ezenekwe, Nigeria Can history tell us how many rebels have made good leaders? I don't think you can finish counting the fingers of one of your hands. The reality on the ground and what someone might be thinking while in an hideout as a rebel are two different things. Yes, it may be good to overthrow a regime but not to stay for too long in power. Maurice Mwana-Tambwe, UK Without a doubt good rebels make good leaders Doyenne Ogun, Nigeria/USA Without a doubt good rebels make good leaders. The problem with many Africans is that we rest on our laurels in times, because we have developed a thick skin amid utter misery. And it is only a few bravehearts that will come out of the bush to topple the useless goverments. It is in this times of need that our revolutionaries will come and rescue the masses. Doyenne Ogun, Nigeria/USA I do not think ex-rebels have been good leaders in the majority.They all start well, with a lot of rhetoric to please their home and international supporters. Once they are comfortably in their positions of power the proverbial happens! I am not trying to suggest that the ex-rebel leaders cannot become good leaders, but all I am suggesting is that in the process of criticising or applauding them we need to take cognisance of the environments and systems under which they are operating. We are a developing continent and we need to learn from our actions and mistakes to shape a democratic Africa. Charles Mutanga, United Kingdom Yes they can be good leaders. Rebels are freedom fighters. They sacrificed so much to be in that position, and they have seen inequality first hand. A few good examples are Museveni, Kagame and John Garang, who unfortunately didn't get the opportunity to show his full potential. Dut A deDut, Sudanese in USA Managing a country in times of peace requires a totally different skill set than during a war Nqobile, Zimbabwe So-called rebels fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe, and unfortunately 25 years after independence they still think they are fighting the war of liberation. They still address each other as comrades and sing liberation struggle songs at meetings. The country is in ruins, and it does not take a genius to see that Mugabe has failed dismally. Managing a country in times of peace requires a totally different skill set than during a war. It is extremely difficult for a rebel to make the transition from leading a band of brothers who will answer to all his commands to leading a country with vastly different people, managing an economy in which he has to make many critical long-term decisions. Nqobile, Zimbabwe I don't think a rebel is a good leader. For example, rebel leader Meles Zenawi: 15m people starving on his watch, but he still has an appetite for war and he cares only for his ethnic group. There is no sign of him leaving his post after more than 15 years. Azmeraw Tigabu, Gondar Maybe not from a western politically correct point of view Chris A, UK I grew up in Rwanda, where Paul Kagame is now the president. I believe that he has made a good leader. Maybe not from a western politically correct point of view. But if you take a look at where Rwanda was in July 1994 and where it is now, you'll see that he has made great strides forward for the country. He has been a powerful ruler where one was needed. Chris A, UK Yes indeed. Rebels make excellent leaders. The examples are many: Nelson Mandela, Yoweri Museveni in Uganda, and Paul Kagame of Rwanda to name a few. Benjamin Sehene, France To ask such a question is to ascertain that there is some certainty as to whether a formal rebel makes a good leader or not. There is no such certainty. Does an economist make a good leader? Who knows for certain? It all depends on the individual whether or not he will make a good leader. Whether you get Paul Kagame or Charles Taylor out of a civil strife is dependent on the individuals themselves. Eugene Ashong, USA Not at all. A leader is someone with a vision; but African rebels have no visions. Look at the misery of Africans and the total lack of solutions from the so-called rebel leaders. Kiza Marcel, USA That's a commitment the rebels fail to create or open up to when they become presidents Robert, USA Once a rebel always a rebel, this is true. Rebels as leaders they tend to be drunk with power and assume ultimate control and supremacy over their colleagues. The contribution they make in trying to revive their countries leads to a spiral of abuse hence creating counter rebel groups. Robert, Kenyan in USA No, they are all power mongers. When they get it they will never let it go. If they lose it, they go back into the bush and start all over again. William Tangwan, Edinburgh, UK It's harsh to say once a rebel always a rebel. Some do make good leaders like Paul Kagame. Others are totally useless. On the other hand we may as well say you don't need to be a former rebel to be a lousy leader. Actually the majority of African leaders are major flops, even though many of them are democratically elected. Pacharo Kayira, Malawian studying in Sweden The first thing rebel leaders do, once in power, is to consolidate their grip on the country Anonymous, USA The first thing rebel leaders do, once in power, is to consolidate their grip on the country. To achieve this, they are willing to kill and violate people's human rights. Most former rebels, all over the continent, have become the neo-dictators of Africa (Kagame, Museveni, Kabila etc.). I do not advocate support for rebel leaders. Anonymous, USA There is some good to come from leaders who came from the bush. The problem is when they have to reward those they were fighting with to take control of the country. As we know, the list is very long! Ray John, Tanzania We have heard stories of how rebels and their followers acting under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or simply for lack of respect have killed, maimed and raped innocent people within the territory under their control. Some rebels are rebels in the first place because of their narrow views, selfish interests and personal disagreements with those in government. What do you expect from a rebel turned leader whose initial interest in becoming a leader is nothing but personal gains? The answer is more pain to the people they govern. Ola, USA Yes our PM is a former rebel. He is trying his best to keep the ball rolling. He went to the bush first to overthrow the dictators and now is trying to bring about economic development. He is doing it. All rebels do not necessarily respect their words; some are corrupt, some are dictators. Abraham Kahsay, Tigray, Ethiopia Rebels are selfish groups of individuals preying on public fear for their own personal gain Joseph Seibure, USA Absolutely not! Rebels are selfish groups of individuals preying on public fear for their own personal gain. Take a look around Africa and countries around the world with rebel movements, you will not find a single instance where anything positive have come out of any rebel movement. Most, if not all of the rebel leaders have turned out to be worse than the people they forced out of power. Joseph Seibure, Liberian in the USA The human nature is a very complex one. Sometimes, it will be unfair to judge a bull by its horns. There is nothing wrong with a former rebel becoming a leader. He will only become a rebel again if he renegade in his promises. Some of the rebels fought against injustice, oppression of the poor, corruption and dictatorship. President Museveni of Uganda has done a great job so far. Let us give former rebels who become leaders the benefit of the doubt. Omorodion Osula, Boston, USA African countries continue to suffer through poor leadership. It is due to this bad governance that rebels emerge to rescue the boat. Initially rebel leaders have good intentions for the people, but once they taste power they quickly fall into the same bad and tyrannical ways of their predecessors. Whether rebel or not, most African countries lack quality leaders. James Omedo Kihali, Kenya A rebel will always be a rebel. Patrick, England, UK

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