News that the
International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Simone
Gbagbo (63) the wife of former Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo charged with
committing crimes against humanity is a welcome.
Mrs. Gbagbo and
her husband were dug out of the bunker by UN and French forces who assaulted
their residence in April 2011 after a five month standoff that left the country
paralyzed politically, socially, and economically.
For
those who hate the snowballing malpractices whereby the spouses and children of
presidents usurp their relatives’ power, such bold move is commendable and
welcome. At least, somebody somewhere can keep tabs on these mighty creatures of
our dirty politics.
Africa is
currently evidencing broad light robbery committed by a new crop of rotten and
corrupt rulers who pointlessly allow their families and friends to abusively use
their power to rob the public. Almost in many African countries, there are
unofficial “presidents” behind the curtain in the name of wives, children, and
partners not to mention the cabal of courtiers in the upper echelons of power.
They make much money buy simply vending the office of president. In this
business of vending presidency, many African countries have become wantonly
bankrupt.
Back on Mrs.
Gbagbo, the BBC reported of the warrants. It wrote, “She was responsible for
"the crimes against humanity of murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence,
other inhumane acts and persecution.”
Gbagbo’s regime
was booted out in 2011 after a long standoff between his forces and those of his
former rival-cum-opponent, current president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattra.
Gbagbo organized sham elections and once he realized he would not win, he
decided to cling unto power unconstitutionally the move that force international
community to intervene. This move saw Gbagbo off from power after chaos left
3,000 people dead thousands displaced.
Now it is
obvious that Gbagbo and his wife are going to face the music. Gbagbo was
captured and handed over to the ICC by the authorities in Ivory Coast in April
2011 after his government fell. Apart from facing charges before The Hague,
Gbagbo and his wife also were charged with economic crimes such as robbery,
looting and embezzlement in Ivory Coast.
Simone, a
doctor of History was instrumental ideologically for her husband.
And she is said to have orchestrated She waged unfettered
humongous power during her husband’s presidency. Differently from other seating
African president, the Gbagbos, just like any other African kleptoclatic and
nepotic rulers, did involve their children effectively. Gbagbo’s son Michel is
facing charges of participating in violence that saw over 3,000 dead.
This means that the whole family is behind the bar
simply because they were able to abuse the power of the president. What
transpired in Egypt where the former dictator and his sons are behind bars is
once again repeating itself in another African country. Like a
blind family, there was nobody to warn others of the bandwagon of benefitting
from the power of the president. Greed comes first and regrets
later the Swahili sage has it. Whether the children are likely to surface before
ICC is the matter of time. Given that the whole family partook of the dirty fame
of violence, chances are that they’ll be issued with the warrants.
Simone becomes
the first African woman and the first- first lady to be indicted by ICC. If
there is anything ivoriens won’t forgive Simon for is nothing but forcing her
husband to cling unto power knowingly such a move would lead to mayhem as it
subsequently happened.
Now that Simone
is facing the charges as a wife and confidante of the president, will the
seating presidents, their wives, families, friends and majordomos get it? Again,
time will surely tell.
Source:The African Executive Magazine Jan.,2, 2013.
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