By Victor Angula /
Donald Trump, the president of the United States of America, came back to the Oval Office for a second term starting 20 January 2025. His journey back to the highest office in America, and perhaps the most powerful position in the world, was market by some dramatic events – making him the first person in the history of the USA to occupy the office of president after having been convicted of a serious crime.
Across the Atlantic, in the mainland of Africa, Captain Ibrahim Traore had seized power in a bloodless coup in Burkina Faso on 6 October 2022.
One would not even think of trying anything like comparing the two men, or scrapping around to find out what they have in common. The two men are completely worlds apart. And neither of the two men would wish for his paths to cross with those of the other man.
But there is something that the two men do have in common.
It is the fact that they are doing something.
A lot of people come in the office of president, and sit down. But Trump and Traore did not have any time to sit but hit the ground running, giving orders and making the world notice.
Of course a lot of the things Trump and Traore have done might not be good for all the people in their countries, and across the world too perhaps. But the thing is that at least they made a decision to come in office and do something.
Trump is trying to put America first and make America great again. Whether he is succeeding or not, that is a discussion for another day.
Traore, on the other hand, is trying to make the economy of Burkina Faso go to the people. He is trying to use the resources of the country to build the country and to benefit the people. Whether he is succeeding or not, that must be left to those who will be studying history 20-30 years from today.
The one thing that is for now impressive about the two men is that they are being seen by the whole world to be doing something.
A lot of presidents just come in the office everyday just to push papers and give empty political speeches which nobody at all wants to listen to. There is so much that needs to be done, but presidents are weak.
If President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will for a moment learn something from both Trump and Traore, she will certainly be a good president.
A president must give orders so that things should change. Situations which are broken must be fixed. Those who benefit from broken situations must be uncomfortable. As the president, show that you are in charge.
– Victor Angula is the editor of Omutumwa News Online. He can be reached at victornangula@yahoo.com
