The word Military has never been synonymous with good governance or true representation. Spells of Military rule have been characterized by oppression and a deficiency in the expression of the will of the people, true in most cases, but the case in Guinea at least for now appears to be different, an obvious tonic.
Now we wonder, Mandela's People, what defines true representation of the People's will? Is it summarized to a government elected by the people only, should it not be a Government elected by the People, guided by the single rule of satisfying the People's desire and nothing more. True representation is an incorrupt Government, one that exploits every means to guarantee the best attainable welfare of the People and not limited to the Boys in Khaki or the men in indegenous clothings in parliamentary houses, indeed, Governance should be common sense, morals, ethics and the discipline of leaders.
Now we wonder, Mandela's People, what defines true representation of the People's will? Is it summarized to a government elected by the people only, should it not be a Government elected by the People, guided by the single rule of satisfying the People's desire and nothing more. True representation is an incorrupt Government, one that exploits every means to guarantee the best attainable welfare of the People and not limited to the Boys in Khaki or the men in indegenous clothings in parliamentary houses, indeed, Governance should be common sense, morals, ethics and the discipline of leaders.
Captain Camara, the self proclaimed President of Guinea, presents himself until now as a man committed to the people, a man of discipline, and unlike others with whom he now shares the title of "Coup Plotter", the architect of a bloodless coup.
We must be flexible in our analyses of events such as this in Guinea, we do not think that the massive cheers from impoverished citizens on the streets of Guinea is by design, rather a joyous cry for responsible governance. While the Military may not be the best hands to deliver, the desirable in Guinea is clearly not available but will be if the Captain goes on to fulfil his promise of credible, free and fair elections in 2010, like the former General Abdulsalami Abubakar did in Nigeria in 1999 in similar circumstances. In the interim however, if he sets a transparent tone and structures a sustainable groundwork for responsible, no nonsense, people sensitive governance, he will go down in history as one of the Guinea's greatest.
I am critical about the International Community condemning the Coup, Governments of the West have done little to caution misrepresentation by African Leaders, they have failed to show the total judicious moral and political support needed to remind Governments in the underdeveloped world to be all inclusive and prudent in their administrations. It will make better sense if the EU, when it votes, outlines it support for the new Military Junta in Guinea to fast track, accelerate the delivery of democracy as soon as practicable, and not by an imposition of a date or time line of six months perhaps, that will plunge Guinea deep into more socio-political disequilibrium, that grounwork, foundation and a lesson to an incoming democracy must be taught and masterminded gravely to resurrect the dynamism of a nation blessed with resources and potentials.
The People of Mandela do not support Power by the Barrel of the Gun, but when such power revives and renews the hope of a lost people, we render support and preach the Gospel of Good Governance. We support Captain Camara to as soon as practicable, give up Power by drafting a Transitional Constitution in view of a formidable future democratic dispensation in which all Guineans will enjoy the dividends of that Power that truly belongs to them.
