Politics and Society
There’s life after leaving office, Jakaya Kikwete says
Tanzania’s former president Jakaya Kikwete is enjoying his retirement and is letting other Heads of State reluctant to leave power know that there’s a life after leaving office. “There is life after retirement with more time for things I had less time for, like enjoying quality time with my family, my cattle and farm,” Kikwete tweeted. Many African presidents still cling to power, and crush opposition in the process. Hopefully they’d take a cue from Kikwete that there is indeed a fulfilling life after leaving office.
Published
8 years agoon

Tanzania’s fourth president, Jakaya Kikwete in a tweet gave a glimpse of how he’s spending his retirement days: “There is life after retirement with more time for things I had less time for, like enjoying quality time with my family, my cattle and farm,” the statesman posted.
Retirement is not an option many African presidents consider. Not even when they become old to the extent that fully executing presidential duties is a challenge. Somehow they prefer holding on to power, and even death doesn’t come early enough to meet them, it respects them for their continued labour to serve the people. In a continent plagued by old leaders, who came to power as young popular leaders but grew into dictators, democracy is still sailing on rough seas.
There is life after retirement with more time for things I had less time for, like enjoying quality time with my family, my cattle & farm. pic.twitter.com/5bqa2Bl1En
— Jakaya Kikwete (@jmkikwete) June 4, 2017
Very True your Excellency. Your friend, Museveni should really hear this from you. He fears to leave state house
— Kule Julius Warren (@kuleWarren) June 4, 2017
For a few countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Senegal, Namibia amongst others, they have retired presidents who serve as statesmen and guide the nation in various ways by playing various diplomatic roles. But in many African countries, leaving office after serving mandated terms remains an issue.
Read: Think again: Dos Santos’ retirement changes nothing, and everything in Angola
The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, established in 2006 has only been awarded just four times. The prize, which is only open to former African executive Heads of State or Government comes with an initial sum of $5M plus $200,000 a year for life.

Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete enjoying his retirement by spending quality time with his family on his farm. Photo: Twitter/@jmkikwete
The prize recognises and celebrates African leaders who have developed their countries, lifted people out of poverty and paved the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity. It also highlights exceptional role models for the continent, and ensures that Africa continues to benefit from the experience and expertise of exceptional leaders by enabling them continue in other public roles on the continent.
But for a former Head of State to be considered for such a prize, he/she must have been democratically elected, left office in the last three years, served his/her constitutionally mandated term and demonstrated exceptional leadership.
Read: Mo Ibrahim prize: finally a winner
The keyword here being exceptional, many former leaders seem not to have attained the height of exception the prize seeks to promote to receive the award. More so, it seems many leaders who are currently in power don’t want to leave office.
Despite the allure the prize holds, it seems not to be enough motivation to encourage leaving the seat of power and going into retirement. When the benefits of staying in power seem more lucrative than retirement or stepping down, there is a huge imbalance.
Former presidents such as Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki among others are playing various influential and diplomatic roles, and contributing to peace and stability on the continent.
Tanzania’s fourth president might be enjoying his retirement, but it seems others are not eager to join him.
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