If one was to say that this year was one of Africa’s nightmares, it would not be exaggeration.Apart from the Euro crisis spilling over into the continent with many adverse consequences the region experienced; from the Coup d’Etats in West Africa, the leftovers of the Arab Spring in North Africa to the perennial Congolese issue, to name but a few, another spell has been cast upon some of its most illustrious sons.It was only last month that Ghanaian President, John Atta-Mills, passed away, amid breast pounding lamentations of the demise of a beacon of textbook (read Western norms) democracy on our continent.Now, only this week, Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, passed away in the Belgium where he was undergoing treatment.Meles has not only been credited with bringing his once fledgling states back into the fold of forward-looking Africa, but he has also been put in the same footing as the late Mwalimu Nyerere, former President of Tanzania, for supporting genuine liberation movements.It was, therefore, not a twist of fate that both former leaders were recognised by Rwanda, and decorated with honours, for their support and helping end the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.What both the two men stood for — despite western criticisms of their modus operandi — was putting the interests of their countrymen and women above all other vested interests, they gave a true meaning to the old age adage; Where there is will, there is a way. Exactly the prescription this continent needed to shake off the yokes of poverty and usher in prosperity for all.As the candle burns out, to the legend we say, Fare thee well, son of the soil.
