What is political power? According to many dictionaries it is the political or social authority or control specially that exercised by a political entity. But what does power do to people, how does it affect their behaviour, do they think they are invincible and allowed all their caprice!!!

The most vivid example is President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.  Despite losing the elections in June 2008, he still refuses to cede the power to the winner.  They have reached a power-sharing government between Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.  

The country is infested with Cholera; in addition to shortages of the most basic needs such as electricity, fuel, medicine and food have become common in Zimbabwe. These problems have forced many people to flee the country. 

Instead of reaching out to the opposition and the society as a whole, President Mugabe and his team are kidnapping people from the opposition and the whole scene is turning into a real political surreal; all because of the political power.

What does power do to people?? Why do they become so much attached to the power and control of their people?  Is it a sort of addiction; does it give them a satisfaction that they can not achieve in their personal life. Why don’t they take examples of people such as Nelson Mandela, Abdou Diouf of Senegal; Diouf is notable both for coming to power by peaceful succession, and leaving willingly after losing the 2000 presidential election to Abdoulaye Wade;  and others who simply go either when they decide or when they lose elections.

These are examples of people who loved their country more than themselves and country came first to them before the power and control.  It is time for African countries to mature and accept real democracy. The whole world is in a financial crisis and we need to build instead of fight in political parties all for the sake of power.

Definitely, power is alluring, but is the price worth it; do we have to continue living in political disputes and party differences instead of having a vision for the road to development for our countries.

I Love Egypt, Egypt Prevails.