The African continent is facing a challenge of its leaders holding on to power and refusing to let go even when their presidential terms have elapsed. Some African leaders have, however, literally been chased out of office either via armed conflict or by some amount of diplomatic pressure. West Africa seems to be leading when it comes to its leaders being pushed out of office. Some of the notable examples are Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia (21 years in power), Muammar Gaddafi of Libya (42 years in power), Omar Bongo of Gabon (42 years in power), Lansana Conte of Guinea (24 years in power) and Joao Bernardo Vieira of Guinea-Bissau (31 years in power). And now recently we know of the attempt by the Zimbabwean people to oust Robert Mugabe who has been president for 37 years. So today we ask why do they want to hold on to power for so long.

To help us unpack and discuss this further we are joined on the line by:

1. Dr Everisto Benyera Lecturer Political Sciences Department UNISA
2. Prof Kwandiwe Kondlo Lecturer Politics and International Relations Department University of Johannesburg
3. Dr Martin Rupiya Political Analyst Institute of African Renaissance