Saturday, 28 November 2009

North African Dynasties

A few weeks ago I posted a comment on the trend towards new heredity dynasties being created around the world.

The Men Who Would Be Kings
The Men Who Would Be Kings

This occurs when the 'democracy' didn't take, and is most obvious in the Muslim world, but the ex-communist countries such as North Korea have espoused this idea as well.

So imagine my amusement when the BBC ran this story this week. In it they raise the spectre of "of dynastic rule from the Red Sea to the Atlantic."

They concentrate on Muslim North Africa and mention Egypt: where Gamal Mubarak, a former investment banker is lined up for the succession. Libya: where its Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, envoy and chair of Gaddafi Foundation. In Tunisia, its Sakhr el-Materi, businessman and politician, and finally Algeria: where it's Said Bouteflika, who is currently a presidential aide.

They missed, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE and Syria which are all hereditary states.

Strangely that leaves only Iraq and Yemen as democratic Arab states ............ makes you think eh?

Update: With all the cleverness of 20/20 hindsight, we can add that:

  • With the stepping down of his father Hosni Mubarak, Gamal Mubarak didn't take over and was sent to trial on a number of charges, and he became ineligible for any political office following the Egypt Court of Cassation's decision to uphold his corruption conviction.
  • Saif al-Islam Gaddafi didn't take over Libya which is now in a semi-permanent civil war .... he has spent time in prison and then in hiding ever since his father overthrow in 2011. He makes occasional threats to re-enter politics, despite an ICC warrant hanging over him.
  • Sakhr el-Materi - In January 2011, after the collapse of the Ben Ali regime he fled the country and was last heard of in the Seychelles.
  • Said Bouteflika - he is in prison appealing against an 8 year sentence.
So none of the princelings got the top job .....

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2 comments:

  1. No PC7 December 2009 at 21:15

    Maybe not so funny for the reat of us sooner or later.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous18 March 2013 at 13:24

    How times change. This article is dated 28 November 2009 and now many of these dynasties have been swept from power or are hanging on by use of violence.

    In four more years we could be staring at either new democracies (some of which may even allow non muslims to thrive, although don't hold your breaths) Or there could be a sea of Irans surrounding southern Europe.

    The latter case seems more likely but you never know.

    ReplyDelete

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