One of the common features of this time, is the absence of global leadership as an effectual hope in crisis period. The current international order is lead by United States of America. Coming out of the destruction of WW11, America lead an international order to restore sanity, with UN and subsequently other institutions that emerged. Let the truth be said, no other country could have pulled it better than they did because they had the skill then to make it succeed. Without ignoring other countries effort, it is collective after all, kudos to everyone who played a part.
Fast forward to current crisis which for many people in their 50s and 60s, have never seen a thing like this before. The Spanish flu virus happened in 1918-1919, whereas, the great depression was in the 1930. So for the 50s and 60s year of age, they have a lot not to wish for. I can tell you, the coronavirus pandemic would be one of those, whether in this part of the world or elsewhere. Although we have long faced crisis with greater immense consequences. This coronavirus to so many, tests more like the last supper. Malaria and hunger kills so many but never have they lead to such potential economic disaster with total lockdown. It happened at a time when leadership is missing or have long been missed. I wish to borrow from one of the many people I greatly admire, Dr T.L Friedman, he said “In a time of crisis, like we are in now, with people feeling frightened and uncertain, leadership doesn’t just matter more. It matters exponentially more.”
Many African states have endured many years living in crisis mood as indicated above. But most challenging of them all is the quality of leadership we have come to dwell with. Of course, someone would say, speak for yourself. But the reality is, the many years before this current crisis emerged, other continent have bought us enough time to prepare for moment like this. What do I mean? Many of our leaders past and present have had the opportunity at one time to interact with their peers outside of the continent. Many have also been opportune to, borrow from such policy if those were possible, study from it to help them formulate their own policy. Most of our continent leaders are western trained. This begs the question; what have we actually learn in such interaction or engagement to help our respective countries?
Africa is so rich with natural resources, yet many of its citizens live below poverty line. The arrival of this pandemics have laid bare what was long hiding in our mist. We are aware of it but however, we remain unprepared further down history. Paraphrasing the words of T.L Friedman, this pandemic flow into every tiny corner and pore and expose every weakness or strength in our society: how much trust we have in our government; how much social trust exists in our community to enable collaboration. This is another reason to examine what constitutes our strength for our success. They are doomed, who do not learn from history. This is the situation we face right? I can tell you, it is.
During the pandemic, most African countries have to go the mean root of total lockdown without considerable thought to the potential aftermath. Many countries were ill prepared in so many ways. No adequate facilities in existing hospitals, actually no social security is ever in existence. People were lockdown without adequate resources to mitigate or cushion the effect of such lockdown. Government alone can not solve all social ill and requires coordination. But cooperation and coordination comes from existing trust. In the absence of these, what achievement can can possibly be? One can only hope, for “we cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.” It is surprising I have to borrow from Trump to make a point. It shows leaders come in different size and shape. Saying that may resonate with us even though we disagree. But here in the continent, it is going to be worse.
By the end of this crisis, many people would have been rack by the pandemic not of their lives but their livelihood. Poverty whatever it may be is sure to grow pass the point were it was before the pandemic. Another opportunity for dependency on hand out to grow at lowest strata in our society. Other issues would result to tighter security heavy handed approach. An opportunity too for self messiahs to emerge and take advantage of our collective woes. This is going to be a long stretch and a repeat of a very bad movie. We have seen this before, it is collective suicide because we were never prepare for whats ahead.
I have stopped saying, God help us, because He has given us enough wisdom. These word of Fareed Zakaria is to important to be ignored, “We need leaders who take responsibility and make choices, informed deeply by science but also by economics, politics, ethics and other disciplines. Just as war is too important to be left to the generals, pandemics are too important to be left to the scientists.” Hope the lessons that is drawn, shall form part of the learning, and many countries in the continent would be up to the task when next Mother Nature calls. This isn’t going to be the last for such an events, we have destroyed nature, and leadership more than ever is needed to rebuild
From Celestine Chidi
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