Absentee African presidents

Jospina · 2013-08-14T07:07:23+00:00

Zambians don't know whether President Michael Sata is in India or London for treatment. In Angola, the country does not know where President Eduardo dos Santos is. And in Cameroon, veteran Paul Biya continues to play Houdini. So where are these African presidents and why do people like playing politics with the health of leaders? Last month, the Zambian government released a few static pictures to prove to the public that Sata was indeed alive. It is not the first time the Zambian head of state had gone missing, though. In February, following the African Union summit in Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, he disappeared for a whole week leading to speculation of ill health. He had reportedly boarded an Emirates flight to the UK for treatment. When he returned to the country a week later, he avoided journalists who were awaiting his arrival. He then boarded a chopper to State House a few kilometers away. Noting the raised eyebrows, the government later issues a statement on national television saying Sata decided to take some rest after working hard for Zambians. The statement which was read by publicity director for the ruling Patriotic Front, Mr Chanda Mfula, added that the presidents whereabouts should not be of concern since the government was functioning well and that Mr Sata was in good cheer and deserves some privacy. Favourite destinations Satas case is common across African countries if media reports are anything to go by. Rumours are doing the rounds in Angola over President Jose Eduardo dos Santos absence for five weeks. He left the country for Spains city of Barcelona with his wife and three children without giving any explanation about the trip. The MPLA-led government has since remained tight-lipped on the same as the opposition demands a public statement be issued on the presidents whereabouts and about his health. And if you thought the incidence of disappearing presidents is a southern African affair, then you would be wrong. In Cameroon, President Paul Biya reportedly spends about 150 to 200 days outside his country. One of his favourite destinations is Geneva in Switzerland where he stays for extended spells in five-star hotels. He also drags along a large entourage. The state back home has always described these trips as private. Last year Ethiopias usually visible premier Meles Zenawi, vanished from public around view around June, and his government did not release anything regarding his condition. The opposition claimed that that the 57-year-old had died from a brain tumour. His absence became very conspicuous as Addis Ababa hosted the AU heads of state summit to discuss the DR Congo crisis and rows between Juba and Khartoum. Meles had been expected to play a leading role in those talks. He later died of an undisclosed illness in a hospital in Brussels in August, thus giving initial rumour mills considerable credibility.a

Thread starter Jospina
Start date Aug 14, 2013

Jospina

JF-Expert Member

Aug 14, 2013

SHERRIF ARPAIO

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Absentee African presidents

Jospina

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SHERRIF ARPAIO

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