“You could live by the gun, or die by the bullet” – Tony Yayo – ‘Live By The Gun’ 2005
The army commanders and the ones taking power by force. They are forgetting one thing… their honeymoons and their transitional stages cannot last forever. The soldiers and the ones within their ranks are waiting their turn. They are seeing how the putschists are eating and they also want a plate.
Sooner or later… it will be their turn. That’s why junta government doesn’t last. Most of them fall rather quick or loose total control. The centre is fragile and only strength is the trust between army commanders. Army commanders that are now corrupted and high on power. They have gone from being people who defend the borders and kills terrorists. To suddenly ensure civilian authorities, government tenders and whatnot. Which gives them endless opportunities to get a cut.
They quickly forget how they got there. The ones who take power promises heaven on earth. There will be democratic institutions, free and fair elections and everything else that you could ask. These leaders will say they are there to save the nation and the sovereignty. That’s what they do and had to do it. If they didn’t… the Republic would be lost.
The Generals and the other high ranking officials who has government posts won’t suddenly go back to the barracks. No, they have finally gotten a way in and they didn’t even have to sway the public. They just did what they do best and outsmarted an unpopular head of state. That’s why the coup d’etat went so smooth and cost so few lives. Because, nobody really wanted the guy as a President and continue the agony of his government.
Therefore, the people is giddy when the lonely fella is off the throne. They are happy to see someone else and finally have hope. Nevertheless, in most cases they become corrupted, greedy and selfish. They will do some good work and build up some prestigious policies. However, you shouldn’t have your hopes up. That is only done to legitimize this affair and ensure the public give them a second chance to continue.
At one point or another. The truth will be revealed and how they are misusing the offices. As they are pillaging and looting the coffers. They have found a way of siphoning funds and spending it like drunk sailors abroad. Buying real-estate, SUVs and even houses for their mistresses. That’s what they do and they are proud of it too.
These army men who took power hope people are naive and believes their stories. The porkies that gives them life. That’s all they have… regardless of it the facts of the matter. They will not save you or the population. It might seem so and they influence the people to think so. However, they will stifle the press, the stop civic education and dissidents will be in trouble. The ones who dares to challenge them will suffer or even be silenced until eternity.
That’s why no one will be scorned. They will block people out of patriotism and national interests, but sooner or later this will narrowed down to all criticism. The ones in the inner-circle will defend and shield the ruler. He will be the supreme one and nobody should ever question his judgment. The ones that does… ends up in the slammer or a six feet under.
This is why they aimed the gun and won power. The moment they silence the guns and trust in their own egos. That’s when someone could do the same thing they did and with hostility takeover. Another coup d’etat and the circle continues. One big-man becomes several of big-men.
I don’t have to much hope. They might sound splendid and be orally smart as leaders. This doesn’t mean their heart is pure or their motives are to serve the public. They come as men of arms and soldiers of fortune. The army commanders wouldn’t have toppled governments if it wasn’t for self-interests too. They read the signs of the times and saw an opportunity.
The army commanders succeeded, but the moment they are a little slow or late. That’s when someone will strike them down. Peace.