Simon Kasyate
25 October 2007
Ougadougou — AFRICA is no longer a place for military, single party rule or presidency for life, former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano has said.
Mr Chissano, who made a keynote address at the 7th Africa Governance Forum in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso yesterday, said he is a living testimony of this new emerging form of political governance in the continent.
"The political landscape in Africa has changed profoundly towards constitutional order, political stability and democratisation. African states have increasingly renounced the culture of military and single party rule and presidency for life," he said drawing applause from the participants.
Ironically, Mr Chissano made the remark in a country where President Blaise Campaore is celebrating 20 years in power after taking it through a military coup that claimed the life of former president Thomas Sankara. Mr Campaore who opened the three-day event earlier in the day was not present during Mr Chissano's speech.
Mr Chissano was also speaking two days after winning the coveted Mo Ibrahim African Award for good governance. He was credited with the $5 million award for leading Mozambique from a colonial to progressive state and for relinquishing power in a free and fair election.
Mr Chissano is the current chairman of the African Forum, a think tank charged with strategic interventions on good governance on the continent.
"Multiparty democracy and new political dispensations are now common practice. Many African countries have limited presidential terms," he said.
In attendance were local government ministers, MPs and members of civil society from several African countries.
Local Government Minister Kahinda Otafiire and a delegation from Uganda were yet to arrive by press time. Ms Winnie Byanyima, a director at the UN in New York, attended.
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