Rawlings and ATT : Death of two major political figures !

November, a particularly dire month for West Africa, who lost in quick succession, intellectual leaders, but also, political leaders. In 48 hours apart, two prominent personalities, who have marked the contemporary history of their respective countries, and even from the continent leave us almost at the same age : Malian, Amadou Toumani TOURÉ, TO, 72 years and Ghanaian, Jerry John RAWLINGS, 73 years. For posterity, and by duty of memory, your journal must bring up to date, the priceless legacy that these true and great statesmen, have bequeathed, for generations and generations. Far from the political deceit and mischief that some heads of state in the sub-region are currently cultivating in contempt of their peoples.

The first freed the Malian people by 1991, of the dictatorial regime of General Moussa TRAORÉ, died two months ago at the age of 83 years, by a military coup. He is the father of democratic renewal in the country of Soundiata KÉITA by delivering, after the transition, power to the democratically elected civilian regime of Prof. Alfa Oumar KONARÉ. Man of consensus and dialogue, He invented, once in power through the ballot box in 2002, a form of political governance , where there is no movement, ni opposition, but Mali first and foremost. Listening and consultation have become his political weapons, him the retired soldier. He was the champion of decentralization for which Mali is cited as an example. Without forgetting the major infrastructures, social housing built under his authority. Even if, the Tuareg rebellion in the North, exacerbated by the Sahel crisis, following the fall of Colonel Gaddafi's regime ended up getting the better of his power, overturned in 2012 almost at the end of his second term, he was fortunately restored with his triumphant return to the fold after eight years of exile. And as a symbol, time for meditation, his funeral organized this Tuesday, 17 November 2020, have had the merit of reuniting, a country in search of its former unity, by a mobilization never seen in ages. And that we hope to perpetuate for the happiness of the brotherly people of Mali.

The second, JJ RAWLINGS, of Scottish father and Ghanaian mother, air force officer as his ATT cadet, is the father of the economic and political renewal of Ghana, after the long crossing of the desert of the country, following the overthrow of the regime of the father of independence, Pan-Africanist Kwame N’KRUMAH. He waged a bitter fight against corruption and illicit enrichment. He played with his friend Thomas SANKARA, the generation of heads of state who have marked the contemporary history of Africa through leadership focused on the struggle for the emancipation of the poor. Tireless field man, he has often given the example by putting his hand in the dough. Ready to clean the gutters, to regulate circulation, it was he who gave his country, reputation as the cleanest country in West Africa. He lived like SANKARA, completely detached from the material, and remained very popular, especially among the masses. This did not prevent him from withdrawing from power in 2000, after two constitutional terms of four years each. Since, the vitality of Ghanaian democracy is exemplary, cited in reference, like Tanzania, of Botswana and is combined with sustainable development.

These are therefore, two key leaders, builders of the new Africa, deeply democratic and focused on the economically bright horizons that are leaving us. For the rising generations to know, to appropriate it and especially to perpetuate their works.

Ouorou-roasted Babero