Third Time Lucky

You know the old saying - "if at first you don't succeed..." Well obviously, it's harder to practice than to understand. Nevertheless, persistence does have its rewards - and a case in point is the eventual triumph of Malam Bacai Sanha who has succeeded in his third bid to become the elected president of Guinea-Bissau, and who took office just a week ago.

Sanha had been president before in 1999, but only in a caretaker capacity. He did run for president in the elections to choose his successor, but he was roundly and soundly defeated by his challenger, Kumba Yala. However, Yala proved to be unstable and was subsequently sacked by the military. Again Sanha saw his chance to run, and again he was defeated in 2005 by Joao Vieira, also another former president.

At this point, most people would have concluded that the Fates were not aligned with their desires, donned the garb of an elder statesman and retired to their farm. But Sanha nursed the spark of ambition, and his chance came again when Vieira was gunned down and hacked to death four years later. Sanha girded his loins, and in a rematch of the election ten years ago he ran against Yala - and he won.

Now I know you are probably saying "So - what are all these old men doing running against each other time and time again when they shoud be allowing younger people to take their place? In fact, why should I give an ant's anus what happens in Guinea-Bissau, when Obama didn't even visit it on his recent tour of Africa?" But to ask those questions is to miss the point entirely. This is about the triumph against adversity; this is about never burying your dreams, but keeping hope alive; this is about believing in yourself, even though circumstances may say otherwise.

Congratulations, Malam Sanha!!!