President Barack Obama has urged African Presidents to respect Presidential term limits and retire peacefully when their term is over.
Speaking in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Obama told the leaders who had gathered for African Union summit to respect the constitution so that democracy can prevail.
“When a leader tries to change the rules in the middle of the game just to stay in office, it risks instability and strife, as we’ve seen in Burundi,” he said in the text of a speech delivered at the African Union.
He added that presidency is sweet but other leaders should also be given a chance in order for any country to move forward.
African Presidents have the habit of changing the constitution so that they can continue clinging to power. For Instant, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni changed the constitution to allow him serve Uganda forever as the President, thus denying other potential citizens a chance.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza secured a third term in an election this month that the United States said was not credible.
Paul Kagame too changed the constitution to allow him contest for a third term. Initially, the constitution barred him from contesting for a third term.
Zimbabwe President has also overstayed in power despite the country experiencing serious economic challenges.
