African leaders: Who should stay?

Rulers and politicians in Africa often get a bad press and are accused of all manner of crimes and misdemeanours.

Some of them are described as despots and others as ageing dinosaurs who don't know when to leave.

But what about the successful African leaders who set a good example for their country and the continent as a whole?

Who is to be admired and emulated? Who is doing a good job?

Click here to read last week's e-mails about which African leaders you think should go.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

The West is not genuine for pressing for change

Mutai, Kenyan Citizen, UK

Leadership change in Africa is now synonymous to having leaders imposed by the West who will deliver Africa to the corporate west, the West is not genuine for pressing for change in a country like Kenya. Pressure from the west will widen ethnic divisions.
Mutai, Kenyan Citizen, UK

Africans have to change their mentality before discussing leadership change. We are suffering from a disease called "Africa syndrome". We help every continent but Africa. We admire corrupt, brutal, visionless, and unpatriotic leaders and heal them to status of mini gods. We cry about the hypocrisy of the West but we practice bigotry to the highest level. We sabotage and punish good Africans with vision and determination to help Africa and conveniently blame the West for our calamities. A replacement of the current leaders will be just a new set of leaders with the same agenda. Why is the richest continent in natural resources the least developed? May God help Africa and bless Mandela!
Boima Morray, Sierra Leonean / USA

We should hold our leaders accountable in the strictest sense of the word

Patrick Oguejiofor Ndibe, Nigerian

Until we Africans and our so-called leaders understand that government and its institutions are meant to better the lot of everybody, and not just the narrow selfish interests of those in power, our woes would be endless. We should hold our leaders accountable in the strictest sense of the word.
Patrick Oguejiofor Ndibe, Nigerian

Hitler was elected. Milosevic was elected. The mere fact that someone was elected doesn't mean their power remains legitimate until they're voted out. That's why most countries' constitutions provide a means to impeach a ruler or to force the ruler to resign. As a general principle, the leaders who should stay are the ones who respect the rule of law and govern responsibly - these tend to be the ones you never read about in the news.
B.A., UK

Only those who win in free and fair elections should stay

Chris Whitehead, USA

Only those who win in free and fair elections, devoid of intimidation and in nations with a press that is completely free of government interference should stay. The rest should be thrown out on their derrieres. Most of Africa's leaders are money grubbing self serving, egotistical despots who care about their people about as much as they care about ants who crawl across the floor.
Chris Whitehead, USA

Eritrean leader Isayas Afwerki has done a lot of direct improvement on daily life of Eritrea from 1991 to 1998.To evaluate them while in the power is not right, after they step down from power they can get full credit.
Menghis Fesshaie, Sweden

Mohammad Qadaffi has done more for the common Libyan using their own resources than other puppet leaders

Santonino Banya, USA

Mohammad Qadaffi of Libya should certainly stay. Despite Western opposition to his reign, he has done more for the common Libyan using their own resources than other puppet leaders have done for their people even with the hand-outs from their Western masters.
Santonino Banya, USA

I feel Yoweri Museveni should stay. In my language we have a saying that if one who had been declared dead is at least able to survive and turns out lame, he/she should be grateful. Our country had gone to the dogs. The people who used to suffer are not these politicians that are now forming alliances with the opposition to Museveni. It was the peasants who couldn't run to America and Britain. These are now at least sleeping and growing their food in peace, many will then talk of Gulu and Kasese, but these situations are a result of those people who still want people like Obote to come and kill Ugandans again. Ugandans beware, remember the tricks of 1980 when Obote hid behind the Binaisas? The killers are still very much around, we mess they return, and they will slaughter.
Mugambe, Uganda

Definitely Seyoum Mesifn, the foreign minister of Ethiopia needs to stay and continue his dedication for his beloved country. Ethiopia needs him.
Sela, USA

We, young Africans of the new millennium, need true and respectful men to lead our destiny

Abdoul Ghadry Diallo, USA

All African leaders who were holding power before 1990 must go. They are many: Eyadema of Togo, Bongo of Gabon, Lansana Conte of Guinea, Compaore of Burkina Faso, Ould Taya of Mauritania. Their time has expired. To be sincere, all the dictators must be overthrown. They have nothing more to prove to their people. We, young Africans of the new millennium, need true and respectful men to lead our destiny.
Abdoul Ghadry Diallo, USA

We as Africans need many leaders like Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia and Mandela of South Africa. We need leaders that have a good background in politics and economics.
Yohannes, Canada

If the above question was only meant for a joke, the Ethiopists and the ageing retired CIA mercenaries such as Paule Henze and the daughter of former slaves, Suzan Rice, would tell us Meles Chenawi of Ethiopia would be allowed to stay for his achievement of creating more than ten million starving Ethiopians. However, if the BBC is serious in asking this question, there is only one leader that stands out amongst the tribalistic African leaders. Isayas Afeworki of Eritrea is the only leader that should be emulated. So far he has created an absolutely corruption-free state in a continent that continues to languish in perpetual darkness.
Tsahaye, Canada

Mugabe deserves the boot, he encourages violence but the police go on and arrest the opposition. His days are definitely numbered. We need mobile, creative African leaders not power drunk sycophants.
E. Chimanyi, Chegutu, Zimbabwe

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Afewerki of Eritrea are certainly the best leaders we have in Africa today

N.E., USA

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Afewerki of Eritrea are certainly the best leaders we have in Africa today! Both have one common leadership quality that most of other African leaders are lacking: They are both visionary. They are the kind of leaders Africa needs to face the challenges of the 21st century!
N.E., USA

History has shown that no government can rule a dissatisfied and oppressed people indefinitely

Ogash, USA

The question of who should stay and who should go should be precluded by the determination and realization of every individual as to where they want to go from the present time. It is paramount that for the development and progress of the continent as a whole, the peoples of Africa must realize, and take pride in their rights as citizens, then demand these rights from their governments. History has shown that no government can rule a dissatisfied and oppressed people indefinitely. Africa as a continent has the resources to survive without having to yield unwittingly to western puppeteers, and only hard work and self-determination will see the continent free from what could very well be eternal financial bondage.
Ogash, USA

No doubt Yoweri Museveni should stay. This man has removed Uganda from the pit of political darkness and put us on the path of peace and democracy. He has put water in our homes, put our children in school, improved our economy, reduced the rate of HIV infection from 30% in the 1980s to 8% today. Our army is disciplined - I could go on forever.
Elison, Ugandan in UK

It appears to me that some African leaders haven't learned anything form the former president of Senegal (Senghore). It is important that we look back and see how Senegal has emerged and learned from Senghore's departure. There has been few examples after him except for south Africa and Ghana who joined recently. Take Gambia for example, during the reign of president Jammeh (at least that's what he liked to called) from 1994, he promised to make constitutional amendments for term limits in increments of four to a maximum of eight. What we see everyday is Jammeh trying instead how to elect chiefs without the approval of the people they are elected to govern. This is true for almost every region in Africa including Libya, Morrocco, Algeria, Kenya - the list goes on. None of them except for few want to serve as long as they live.
Luditz, Gambia

Charles Taylor of Liberia should stay until his term expires in 2003. The West promised that if Liberia had free and fair elections we would be accepted internationally. Liberia did and Mr. Taylor won by more than 80% of the vote. Now the same countries in the West are threatening sanctions against Liberia to force Mr. Taylor out.
Aki Herron, USA

The only people who can make a difference are the civilians

Tehsome Habte, Canada

The only people who can make a difference are the civilians. They should come together and fight for their rights, putting aside their tribal or clan differences. After all they are all from the same country. They should cherish the multiple and diverse cultures and respect one another. Once this is achieved I am confident that the person in power will think twice before doing anything that would undermine his duties as a president of that country.
Tehsome Habte, Canada

President Mandela of South Africa was a statesman who set an example for his people. Many of the remainder are too busy looking after their self-interests and ways to remain in power. They have lost touch with the needs of their people, economies and development.
Rich, UK

People elected Heads of State should remain in office to lead their people to the next generation and to better education. For example, the president of South Africa should remain in office because he's trying to solve the power difference between rich and poor. Also, he's trying to eliminate discrimination between black and white.
Amanuel, USA

Sam Nujoma must remain in power for as long the Namibian nation wants him to stay. Few presidents can do what he has done for the Namibian nation. He is the real father of the nation. Long live Sam Nujoma.
Lee, Namibia

No one. They all need to go back to the basics of running their country. They should give their people what they want and not what they think they want.
Nick, UK

They have done nothing to improve the lives of their people

Big Ben, Liberia

Africa has leaders who have been in office since the independence of their countries and yet they have done nothing to improve the lives of their people. Secondly, they have no intention of stepping down. Whether you and I suggest and recommend who should stay, these brutal leaders will continue to cause suffering for their people. They are only concerned about their Swiss bank accounts.
Big Ben, Liberia

Surely one has to beg the question when the day will come that Africa and Africans will rid the 'cancer' of bad leadership. Unfortunately, the totality of the problem also lies with the electorate. For until the ideas of fairness, good neighbourliness and community are reintroduced into our everyday ethos we will continue to suffer at the hands of selfish leaders.
Thoko, Zimbabwe

It is a lie to say Zimbabwe would have been a better place for blacks with a hard-core racist like Ian Smith. To say blacks were better off under Smith is not only over-simplification of facts and ignorance of the highest order but a stinky insult as well especially for those of us who witnessed the horror of white rule, segregation and oppression in the then-Rhodesia.
MM, Zimbabwe

We need leaders who are principled and can stand up to the West

Kleto, Zimbabwe

Comrade Robert Mugabe and others like him such as Mr Moi of Kenya should stay. We need leaders who are principled and can stand up to the West and their donor organisations, no matter what the odds are. In the end their stance will be justified when the sovereignty and dignity of their people is preserved long after they are gone.
Kleto, Zimbabwe

I think Yoweri Museveni should stay. Many may think he has overstayed but I think in Africa leaders shouldn't change just for the sake of it. Many leaders have made mistakes which may take years to correct. If you give someone a one five year term for example, by the time he reorganises everything; the army, the economy etc to a reasonable level everyone thinks you have overstayed. In Africa when a leader changes everything changes.
Godfrey Kasamba, Uganda

The Ethiopian leadership has demonstrated the wisdom and good governance which most other African leaders lack. It is a good example for others to follow.
Yohannes, Canada

NOBODY!!!!!
Dan Elias, USA

My vote goes to Mbeki and Obasanjo

Abe, USA

My vote goes to Mbeki and Obasanjo. Mbeki has established himself as the most enlightened and democratic leader on the continent of Africa. He is involved with peace issues in the southern region and he is helping his people in South Africa combat Aids. Since the election of Mr Obasanjo, he has been involved with the problems in Liberia, Sierra Leone and recently Guinea. Even though these problems continue, he is making an effort to help stop human suffering and end the brutal war in Sierra Leone.
Abe, USA

Looking back, Ian Smith (Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe) was probably better than the bunch we have today. If he was still in power today, Zimbabwe would be a better place than it is at present, for blacks and whites.
John Carter, UK

It is not necessarily relevant which African presidents outsiders think should stay or go. The question is one that should be entirely chosen by the populations of the respective countries themselves. However, the main problem arises when the right of a nation's populace to choose its leaders is removed through a process of corruption and dictatorship. Therefore, it is only those presidents that have been freely elected into power by the people that have a legitimate claim to stay. These presidents would be: Wade of Senegal, Kufuor of Ghana, Konare of Mali, Kerekou of Benin, Mascarenhas of Cape Verde, Obasanjo of Nigeria, Yala of Guinea-Bissau, Chissano of Mozambique, Mogae of Botswana, and Mbeki of South Africa.
NTC, USA

Whoever wins in fair and free elections should be the candidate who stays
Bede Byarugaba, Uganda/USA

It is hard to find good leaders in Africa because of the entrenched tribal differences that leadership revolves around. If African leaders will really be committed to the will of the people and make the rule of law meaningful without necessarily resorting to the use of the gun, then we can identify good leaders. Until that objective is achieved, good leadership in Africa will be like a mirage. However, Nelson Mandela deserves to be commended for the good work he did for freedom in South Africa. Also we must commend Jerry Rawlings for relinquishing power gracefully In Ghana.
Sedinam Akpedonu, Ghana

The question who should quit his power belongs to western powers and their institutions who are responsible for protecting the corrupted African leaders.
Mangali Wigamo, Kenya

In Africa change has been our worst enemy

Cillaty Daboh, Sierra Leone/ USA

I have found it very difficult these days to advocate the removal of any African leader because in Africa change has been our worst enemy. If Africans want change, it must not only be in the leadership but the psyche of the peoples of the continent.
Cillaty Daboh, Sierra Leone/ USA

Is there really an African leader who should stay? If we are looking for the ones who have caused suffering for their people, we will be left with 98% of these selfish leaders.
Albert, USA/ Liberian

Two African presidents who I believe are doing a good job are Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Ange-Felix Patasse of the Central African Republic. They have helped to bring these countries out of years of civil war and military rule and are trying to improve the economy no matter what obstacles stand in their way. The Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe could learn a thing or two from these guys.
Ron B, Canada

Looking for good leaders in Africa can be compared to looking for a cold water well in the Sahara Desert. It is very hard to find one.
Ziopin, USA

The attribute of a good leader is one who promises and delivers

Ukwunnaya Nosiri Nwosu, WA, Nigerian in USA

The attribute of a good leader is one who promises and delivers. Most African leaders have "wonderful ideas" but enormous difficulty in implementing them. For African leaders to succeed, they should not allow the so-called old politicians and corrupt lobbyists to sway them from making key decisions that will impact on the lives of the people they were elected to govern.
Ukwunnaya Nosiri Nwosu, WA, Nigerian in USA

The only leader to be emulated in recent history is Nelson Mandela. All the others, Mugabe especially, leave a sour taste in the mouth and a pit in the stomach with their underhand dealings and selfishness.
IW, Zimbabwe

Let us see something positive come from Africa for a change. President Kufuor should definitely keep his job and show us what he can do. Other than President Mbeki, that about sums up who should stay!!
Jo, Uganda

The question of who should stay or go is not important. They should simply copy the American style of the president serving for only two terms.
Mburu, Switzerland

Nigeria needs a more competent and better-trained leader such as Dr Alex Ekwueme. Unfortunately, in Nigeria one's tribe is more important than one's qualifications or capabilities. Hopefully we are learning the hard way that there is a stiff price to pay for incompetence, tribalism and mediocrity. May God open our minds and eyes.
Mohammed Balogun MD, Nigerian Citizen in USA