The President-for-Life Phenomenon

Ecclesiastes 5: 8-9: In some countries you will see poor people treated badly. They are not treated fairly or given their rights. Don’t be surprised! One officer is cheated by a higher officer. They in turn are cheated by even higher officers. The wealth of the country is divided up among them all. Even the king makes sure he gets his share of the profits.
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As Reagan neared the end of his second-term, his aficionados were whispering about changing the constitution to allow him a run for a third term. This, of course, was a non-starter as changing the US constitution is as difficult as kollo man gwok. In Russia Putin has circumvented the term-limit constitution and made himself prime minister, and he is the real power behind the boy-president. In the US, again some have broached at a Clinton (the man) re-run. In the UK, Margaret Thatcher had to be dragged screaming out of No. 10 Downing Street—very unlady-like of the Iron Lady. Need we say more about Africa, and Uganda, in particular?

Obote I was on the verge of a one-party state system that would have guaranteed Apollo Milton Obote a life presidency. Idi Amin Dada cut his dream short and, in short order, declared himself president-for-life and Conqueror of the British Empire. The second time around, Obote was damaged goods with time ticking. Minor players in-between would have followed the script if they had staying-power gumption. One such minor joker opined that “the chair was sweet,” betraying a wishful thinking.

It used to be that kings and queens were the ones who stayed in power “until death do us part.” We still have such antiquated remnants across the globe. In the UK, for example, while their powers have diminished, they still live on taxpayers’ dole until they croak. In the Arab world some still wield fourteen century autocratic powers unto death.

Just who are these people? Do these seekers of absolute powers over others just want it for the sake of it? But before answering these questions, let us look at what is happening today.

Thanks to open global communication systems that connect people, the Arab world is saying enough is enough. Something fundamental is at play here. It is granular and organic at the core: individuals are seeing themselves as worthy of respect and nobody who feeds, pees, shits, and does all the basic processes of living like them should abuse them simply because he chanced to have gained more coercive powers. When this attitude reaches a critical mass, change happens.

As for Africa, there is still much work to be done. The power of incumbency still trips individual empowerment. In the “right” hand of a cynical maniacal operator, incumbency means presidency-for-life. None has played and will continue to play this game more than Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. The self-proclaimed revolutionary once derided African presidents who stayed too long at the helm. But as they say: Power corrupts absolutely (and, also, per Amin Dada). Now, he is effectively President for Life, and all leading indicators point to succession within his family. And we have a population willing to give him his wish until it decides that it feeds, pees, and defecates not unlike the rest of them. Till then, hail King Yoweri Museveni of Uganda!

So, just what is with these people? My hypothesis is that the culprit is: Attachment. Buddhism says attachment is one of the principle causes of suffering if not handled well.

First, we desire something badly. Once we get it, we assign to it various attributes, and somehow become one with it. Should loss occurs, it causes us so much pain: a fortune lost wills someone to jump from a bridge.

Look at how a mother and child bond, and it is the same process of two lovers bonding. Something is happening inside. Experts cite a chemical called oxytocin.

So, Museveni had been bathing for the last twenty five years in this addictive chemical. Look at yourselves with your possessions and you will have an inkling of where the man is coming from. Directly from the horse's mouth: I killed the game; how am I going to let someone take away the carcass?
This is the reason the concept of term limits has come into human consciousness because of an understanding of how this phenomenon can be destructive to oneself and humanity. Otherwise you virtually have to ply somebody out of that “sweet chair.” And for change to occur three steps are necessary:
1. People must become sick of having the problem that they really want to change
2. They have to somehow see their problem from a new perspective or a new light
3. New and appealing options must be found or created and pursued
(Bandler, ’08)