One
of the qualities African presidents are best known for is hanging on to power
even if it means changing the constitution to satisfy their needs. President
Obama warned the African leaders about refusing to step down and handing over
power peacefully.
"I am in my second term. It’s been an
extraordinary privilege for me to serve as President of the United States. I
love my work but under our constitution I cannot run again. I actually think I
am a pretty good president. I think if I ran I could win. But I can't. So there
is a lot that I will like to do to keep America moving but the law is the law
and no one person is above the law. Not even the president. And I will be honest
with you.
I am looking forward to life after being president.
I wouldn't have such a big security detail all the time. It means I can go take
a walk. I can spend time with my family. I can find other ways to serve. I can
visit Africa more often. The funny thing is I don't understand why people want
to stay so long especially when they have got a lot of money. When a leader
tries to change the rules in the middle of the game just to stay in office, it
risks instability and strife as we have seen in Burundi. Sometimes you hear a
leader say well I am the only person who can hold this nation together. If
that's true, then that leader has failed to build their nation. You look at
Nelson Mandela. Madiba like George Washington forged a lasting legacy not only
because of what they did in office but because they were willing to leave
office, transfer power peacefully. Just as the African Union have condemned
coups and illegitimate transfers of power, the AU and other strong voices can
also help the people of Africa ensure their leaders abide by term limits under
their constitution. Nobody should be president for life" he said.
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