Can We Trust Our Leaders To Fight Corruption?
Mass L. Usuf
“Corruption is a threat to development, democracy and stability” ~ Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations
An increasingly common refrain one hears from the public these days is that whichever government comes to power, all are the same. This statement encapsulates a mix of resignation, disdain and hopelessness expressed in so many words. People are unhappy with the manner in which the investigations into corruption is being handled.
Under ‘normal’ circumstances, the people are resilient and will endure patiently until the next general elections to express their dismay. The people who experienced the kleptocratic rule of the former regime did just that. They unceremoniously jettisoned the perceived ‘Dutugemunu’ of the modern century, not by the bullet but by the ballot. However, an analysis of the current political reality begs the question, are the circumstances ‘normal’? We all know that the transference of power by the democratic process of election is the universally accepted norm. However, a mutated form of power grabbing is evolving under the guise of the Joint Opposition. The mutated strategy envisages returning to power neither through elections nor by violent rebellion but by harnessing the people’s power. In these circumstances, it may be naïve to imagine that change can take place only at the next general elections. Is the country treading on a dangerous course?
Gangrene
Democratic principles demand the opposition to be the policeman of the public in the legislature. Hence part of their job entails guiding, questioning, correcting course etc. of the government ensuring benefits to the people and the nation. In fact, the joint opposition has some other agenda and this they confess without any qualms. Their mission is to grab power and to do this they would not leave no stone unturned. The government with its financial woes and inept management of governmental business including that of corruption investigations is consistently providing a lifeline to the joint opposition. Metaphorically, the situation is like a wound in the leg which is festering. Left unattended it would turn gangrenous leading to amputation.
