West African Presidents No Want Say Bye

There is something about presidents in Africa, particularly West Africa, when it comes to obeying Constitutional mandates on term limits. The Nigerien head of state has recently taken the first step in furthering his rule past the constitutional two term limit. The man who dissolved the nation's top court for refusing to allow him to indulge in his anti-democratic fantasies is now only awaiting a confirmation from the Constitutional Court that will finalize the decision.

Before we get ahead of ourselves let's hear both sides of the story. The president claims it is what THE PEOPLE want. My first inclination is to remember that he dissolved the nations top court for asserting "we don't want", but I guess the court was not formulated of "PEOPLE". To be fair reports claim that 92.5 percent of the votes cast by the people are in favor of despotic rule. This data of course should be considered simultaneously with the fact that in Africa 92.5 could very well 29.5 before tampering - but I digress.

The sour opposition assert that the president's whims are terribly undemocratic. I understand the basis for the argument, what I don't understand is whether or not these men treasure their lives. Opposing a man drunk on power. Enough said.

So you of course are wondering what the United Nations has to say about this debacle. They have gone as far as expressing concern. We can officially expect to hear nothing more from that audience on this issue. Forever.

When all is said and done is the man really to be faulted? He has survived two terms without being the victim of a coup d'etat - maybe he is doing something right. The man is behind the building of a hydroelectric dam, an oil refinery, and the biggest uranium mine in Africa. He was able to get as much as 29.5% of the people's vote. Either he is really good at deceiving the layman or the people genuinely and rightfully believe that his act can not be bettered. You call it anti-democracy. I call it African democracy.