Politics determines many aspects of our lives in the 21st century. However, in developing countries, especially in Africa, personal connections and political relationships often play a significant role. In societies where poverty is widespread, people can sometimes be treated as tools or resources because everyone is searching for a better life. As a result, leadership is sometimes viewed not as a responsibility to serve the public interest, but as an opportunity for personal survival and wealth accumulation.
Many leaders publicly claim that they work for the benefit of society, but in reality, some view leadership as a chance to enrich themselves, their families, and future generations connected to them. This desire for personal gain can lead to the misuse and exploitation of public resources. By doing so, they not only damage the future of their own generations but also undermine the future of the entire nation and its people.
Such leaders place national resources and the future of their countries in the hands of individuals who exploit them for personal benefit. They misuse human resources and national interests to strengthen their own positions. They appoint loyalists, family members, and close associates to key government positions, allowing them to influence major sectors of the economy and create monopolies. In this way, public institutions become instruments serving private interests rather than the needs of citizens and the nation.
They weaken public institutions by appointing individuals who lack independence and accountability. However, by creating such systems, they unknowingly build the foundation of their own downfall. No person, even a loyal supporter, will completely sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of their master. Therefore, the same culture of self-interest spreads throughout the entire system, with everyone prioritising personal benefit over national and public interests.
Eventually, those who accumulate wealth through such systems discover that they have built their fortunes on unstable foundations. Their wealth and influence may disappear when their leadership ends, either through political change, social unrest, or the emergence of new leaders who repeat the same cycle. In the end, the system they created works against them because it was built on personal interests rather than strong institutions and the rule of law.
I write this reflection about African politics not because I lack ambition or because I reject the desire for wealth and prosperity. I write it because such systems can influence even those who oppose them. If I were to become a future leader, I recognise that I could also be tempted to prioritise my own interests, my family, or my close associates because of the opportunities and privileges created by such a system. The same environment that produces corrupt leaders can influence anyone who becomes part of it.
Without institutional reforms, this cycle will continue to produce leaders who prioritise themselves over society, creating conditions for instability, conflict, and political struggles. The continent will continue to experience difficulties in achieving sustainable development, effective succession planning, and governance based on the choices and interests of its people.
External influence cannot be ignored in understanding Africa’s challenges. Some external actors provide financial and political support to certain leaders with the intention of accessing African resources. However, when these leaders become too powerful or authoritarian, the same external forces may support opposition movements or political changes against them. This creates a cycle of instability that prevents long-term development.
Africa remains a continent rich in natural resources but often struggles with poverty, limited technological advancement, and weak industrial development. It becomes an economic desert despite its enormous potential. The question remains: is internal colonisation, where a small group or family controls political power for decades, a solution?
The answer is no. Although some African countries have experienced long-term leadership under one family or political group, many have failed to achieve the development seen in some Asian countries because the focus has often been personal enrichment rather than national transformation. When citizens remain poor while leaders and their close networks become wealthy, instability becomes inevitable. A leader cannot successfully govern a hungry population. Even Moses, according to biblical scripture, faced challenges leading the Israelites when they were suffering from hunger and hardship.
The solution lies in building strong institutions and establishing the rule of law. African leaders should create nations where every person is accountable for protecting public interests and securing the future of generations to come. By doing this, leaders can ensure that their achievements and resources are protected beyond their own lifetime.
A strong system of laws and institutions creates security for everyone. When leaders know that their legacy, wealth, and contributions are protected by fair rules, they do not need to rely on personal loyalty networks or fear betrayal. Instead, they can focus on building a stable nation where future leaders continue improving what has been established.
A country governed by strong institutions ensures that when one leader leaves, the next leader protects the interests of the nation, its people, and previous generations according to established laws. If future leaders fail to do so, they can be held accountable. This is the foundation of a stable society — a safe environment where everyone’s future is protected by the strength of institutions rather than the power of individuals.
Many leaders publicly claim that they work for the benefit of society, but in reality, some view leadership as a chance to enrich themselves, their families, and future generations connected to them. This desire for personal gain can lead to the misuse and exploitation of public resources. By doing so, they not only damage the future of their own generations but also undermine the future of the entire nation and its people.
Such leaders place national resources and the future of their countries in the hands of individuals who exploit them for personal benefit. They misuse human resources and national interests to strengthen their own positions. They appoint loyalists, family members, and close associates to key government positions, allowing them to influence major sectors of the economy and create monopolies. In this way, public institutions become instruments serving private interests rather than the needs of citizens and the nation.
They weaken public institutions by appointing individuals who lack independence and accountability. However, by creating such systems, they unknowingly build the foundation of their own downfall. No person, even a loyal supporter, will completely sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of their master. Therefore, the same culture of self-interest spreads throughout the entire system, with everyone prioritising personal benefit over national and public interests.
Eventually, those who accumulate wealth through such systems discover that they have built their fortunes on unstable foundations. Their wealth and influence may disappear when their leadership ends, either through political change, social unrest, or the emergence of new leaders who repeat the same cycle. In the end, the system they created works against them because it was built on personal interests rather than strong institutions and the rule of law.
I write this reflection about African politics not because I lack ambition or because I reject the desire for wealth and prosperity. I write it because such systems can influence even those who oppose them. If I were to become a future leader, I recognise that I could also be tempted to prioritise my own interests, my family, or my close associates because of the opportunities and privileges created by such a system. The same environment that produces corrupt leaders can influence anyone who becomes part of it.
Without institutional reforms, this cycle will continue to produce leaders who prioritise themselves over society, creating conditions for instability, conflict, and political struggles. The continent will continue to experience difficulties in achieving sustainable development, effective succession planning, and governance based on the choices and interests of its people.
External influence cannot be ignored in understanding Africa’s challenges. Some external actors provide financial and political support to certain leaders with the intention of accessing African resources. However, when these leaders become too powerful or authoritarian, the same external forces may support opposition movements or political changes against them. This creates a cycle of instability that prevents long-term development.
Africa remains a continent rich in natural resources but often struggles with poverty, limited technological advancement, and weak industrial development. It becomes an economic desert despite its enormous potential. The question remains: is internal colonisation, where a small group or family controls political power for decades, a solution?
The answer is no. Although some African countries have experienced long-term leadership under one family or political group, many have failed to achieve the development seen in some Asian countries because the focus has often been personal enrichment rather than national transformation. When citizens remain poor while leaders and their close networks become wealthy, instability becomes inevitable. A leader cannot successfully govern a hungry population. Even Moses, according to biblical scripture, faced challenges leading the Israelites when they were suffering from hunger and hardship.
The solution lies in building strong institutions and establishing the rule of law. African leaders should create nations where every person is accountable for protecting public interests and securing the future of generations to come. By doing this, leaders can ensure that their achievements and resources are protected beyond their own lifetime.
A strong system of laws and institutions creates security for everyone. When leaders know that their legacy, wealth, and contributions are protected by fair rules, they do not need to rely on personal loyalty networks or fear betrayal. Instead, they can focus on building a stable nation where future leaders continue improving what has been established.
A country governed by strong institutions ensures that when one leader leaves, the next leader protects the interests of the nation, its people, and previous generations according to established laws. If future leaders fail to do so, they can be held accountable. This is the foundation of a stable society — a safe environment where everyone’s future is protected by the strength of institutions rather than the power of individuals.
