Retired Nigerian diplomat, Ambassador Joe Keshi, has said that the recent political developments in France and Madagascar highlight the growing importance of the rule of law and accountability for political leaders globally — including in Africa.
Speaking on ARISE News on Sunday, Ambassador Keshi said the jailing of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the stripping of former Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina of his citizenship both demonstrate that “one day, the law will always catch up with you if you violate it.”
“If this is what the law has said in the case of Madagascar, I believe that the former President violated the law even before he became President,” Keshi said. “But the interesting question is — did the current regime just realise he had French nationality, or did they know all along and chose to ignore it until now?”
Rajoelina, who was ousted in a coup last week, was stripped of his Malagasy citizenship after it emerged he had voluntarily acquired French nationality in 2014. Keshi described the move as both legal and politically motivated, saying it “raises questions about selective justice.”
Turning to Sarkozy’s imprisonment, Keshi said the case was a reminder that no leader is above the law.
“If a former French President violated the law of the land, then he’s paying the price for it,” he said. “This sends a clear message to Presidents around the world, particularly in Africa, that one day the law will catch up with you. You can do whatever you like as President, but you’ll pay the price for violating the law.”
He noted that Sarkozy has maintained his innocence and appealed the court’s ruling but must serve his sentence before his appeal is heard.
On developments in Cameroon, where tensions have risen over disputed election results, Keshi warned that the situation could deteriorate if political leaders fail to respect the people’s will.
“Don’t be surprised if at the end of the day Cameroon experiences a coup d’état,” he cautioned. “The conditions for coups to happen are often created by politicians themselves. When leaders manipulate results or silence dissent, they create instability.”
Keshi revealed that the ruling party’s attempt to offer the opposition leader a prime ministerial role even before official results were declared “shows they already know they’ve lost.” He added that the political class in Cameroon appeared more interested in holding on to power than serving the nation.
“I sincerely hope they resolve their problems and we don’t experience a coup in a neighbouring country, because that would also be dangerous for Nigeria, given the rumours of coups here,” he said.
The veteran diplomat also paid tribute to the late Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away recently in India at age 80.
“Since I was in school, I’ve loved that name, Odinga Odinga — first because of his father, who also died struggling to be President of Kenya,” Keshi reflected. “Just like his father, Raila kept fighting for the people. He was a Pan-Africanist who believed in justice and democracy.”
Keshi said Odinga’s state funeral was a fitting honour for a man who “never became President but earned the respect of his nation.”
“They valued him, they valued the fight, and they knew he was fighting for the right cause,” he said. “The best Kenya could do at his death was to honour him with a fantastic state burial.”
Boluwatife Enome
