The Campaign Trail

Chapter Eighteen

105 Chapter Eighteen hen a boil matures to the bursting point, nothing can stop it from exploding. It can burst to bring relief or kill the patient. The boil of Kutuma was ready to explode. One evening after the citizens had retired to their homesteads, feeling hopeless, a strange news jingle sounded over the radio. Unlike the one that ushered in democracy, this one was a mixture of the news jingle and various songs in praise of the Head of State. It was easy to guess that they were preparing to announce the victory of the ruling party. The tunes went on and on with occasional breaks, but no comment was forth coming. Then the journalist on duty made the introduction, “The Head of State addresses the Nation.” “Kutumians, Kutumians, fellow countrymen, I have decided to step down from my office of Head of State in order to foster the democracy, which I willingly offered to my country. I have decided to hand over power to the opposition as proof of my democratic attitude. I had this intention ten years ago, but I needed enough time to prepare my succession. I am convinced that my successor is sufficiently groomed to carry out this mission successfully. To ensure that this transition goes smoothly, I am calling on the Supreme Council to organise the swearing in ceremony within twenty four hours. In the meantime the police and the army should ensure that there is peace all over the country. I will leave the Presidency this very evening and occupy my private family lodge in Shisha quarters. I promise that, as a lover of this land, I will remain available as a political adviser to my successor in order to ensure that our country continues W 106 to grow. My comrades in the great ruling party should know that, even though I have stepped down from power, we are still together. I have resigned from power, not from the party. One cannot rule for as long as I have done without unintentionally displeasing some people. To those who were not very satisfied with my reign, I appeal for forgiveness. To my supporters and close collaborators, I remain highly indebted.” This bizarre news turned night into day. Everyone was out on the street, especially members of the opposition. To be sure this was a reality, members of the opposition rushed to Jampassdie’s house to witness his release from house arrest. It was real. The police on guard had walked away. There was singing and beating of all sorts of objects in celebration of the collapse of tyranny. Oddly enough, contrary to previous practice, everyone was in jubilation, even members of the ruling party, the police, and the army. This jubilation was barely momentary because just one problem had been solved; that of the ousting of the dictator. But he had thrown the democratic bone to a host of hungry dogs believing that he had chosen one brave dog to eat it all, the undesignated successor. The new question that came up was, who was this successor? He had tactfully designated no one to take over from him. Who then was the Supreme Court going to swear in? ...