The world’s largest nation, Russia has a new President after a successful swap between that country’s two strong sons of communists.Vladimir Putin returns to the Kremlin at least for the next six years taking over from his former subordinate- turned -boss and now turned subordinate once again, Dmitry Medvedev.The Russian swap is the latest mockery to democracy that only serves to affirm the old adage ‘politics is a dirty game.’It’s not very different from many attempts involving incidents where husbands seek their wives to succeed them (like the case was in Argentine) or sons succeed their fathers like we have seen in Gabon or brothers are lined up in the succession queue.I don’t know whether Putin and Medvedev share blood but what is certain is that the latest swap is likely to be an eye opener or an evil strategy watched with keen interest from different circles.It’s a scenario that is likely to be replicated the world over since on the surface, it violates no democratic principles yet it indirectly undermines its values.The formula is simple. Incumbents do not have to amend constitutions.All you need is to emphasise a clause within the constitution that does not bar one from running again in future even if you had served your full term.Next step is to cut a deal with one of your most trusted lieutenants, even if it’s a close relative and annoint this person as your successor. Make sure this is a trusted confidant who will not bring the Chiluba-Mwanawasa quarrels or Mutharika-Muluzi divorce.With this, you are assured of dying in power thanks to the new formula from the world’s largest nation.However, Russia’s circus is one portion of the ugly side of politics.The other is what I have been seeing in our region. Our brothers in Kenya seem to master well the art of politics of convenience more than anyone else. Today, they will sing ODM and tomorrow they are composing a new stanza for UDM.Their politicians are like nomads. Today they are aligned to a particular individual and showering all sorts of praises and tomorrow, the story is different.For our brothers in Kenya, switching political parties is as easy as eating pie. Today, you are in one party and depending on where the wind blows tomorrow, you find yourself in another.There’s nothing like harnessing a party ideology. An ideology that should define the character and formation of its cadres and hence bind them together.Instead, it seems to be about individual interests –where ones dances to whatever beat is bound to protect and promote their interests today.If you think Kenya is the only master of this trade-–that is, politics as a gate pass to the rich man’s club – then you are wrong.At least Kenyans have one thing that we should respect them for. Their politicians seem to be delinked from western powers and their survival is not necessarily pegged on these powers, which gives them some level of independence.That’s not the case with many across the continent. In today’s world of unscrupulous politics, this trade is a quick means to riches, even if you have nothing to sell.The shortest and quickest means of attaining this, is to baptise yourself an opposition figure. Then cause all kinds of havoc, including periodic violation of the law, and yell out persecution loud enough to draw global attention through the media.Here, the louder the cries of oppression, repression or aggression against your government, the bigger the cash flow into your accounts.What you need is to ensure that this money flows into some safe account in one of the western capitals where your immediate family members reside, preferably Europe and North America. In other words as you cause havoc here, your husband or wife and children must be in some comfort zone enjoying hand-outs from their sponsors.This has become the sad reality of opposition politics on the continent. There are very few cases where the opposition parties are indeed fighting for a justified cause. It’s more of ‘Tura tugabane niwanga mbimene.’The Russian circus only comes to oil this sad reality.Twitter@aasiimwe
