For a country that has for decades enjoyed sustained peace, tranquility, political stability, multi-party democracy, impeccable human rights record, sustained economic growth on a continent largely torn by political strife and mismanagement of resources, Botswana’s recent aspirations for the position of AU Commission chair has indeed been long overdue.

Africa needed Botswana’s impressive culture of peace and political tolerance, economic growth to take this qualities to the rest of Africa to inspire other less performing states. They are many who would want to copy the blue print and transform the lives of their peoples, as well as democracy on the continent at large.

This year’s AU Commission Chair nominations, where by candidates came from two of the countries that are currently not models of stability, political tolerance, democracy, the candidature from a country like Botswana brought hope to many of the 54 African states gathered in Kigali to vote for the leader of the organisation. As a role model in the qualities mentioned above, Botswana has to be seen to be ready to shine the light, offer advise, and ready to

While others may see this posture as indicative of arrogance, there is no doubt there will still be many others who would see such involvement on the continent by the role model as an attempt to reach out to the rest of Africa. Dictators and failed states should not be allowed to lead Africa as if to emphasise the point that Africa is for the corrupt and by the corrupt.  Africa should not allow herself to be continually torn into pieces by unscrupulous leaders when they have the chance to vote for exemplary leadership as it presented itself over the weekend in Kigali. Africa should grab it and say no to dictatorships.