Gis A Job Mate
emember when a job was for Unfortunately the good times,
life? Not any more, even if fame and fortune didn?t roll for
you happened to be the long. Four years after reaching
youngest ex-dictator in the the dizziest pinnacle of power in
world. What happens after the Sierra Leone, none other than his
glory years? When by the sheer favourite opo Julius Bio ousted
luck of staying alive, living in him in a coup.
exile ex-dictators put paid to
the theory there is a just god Thankfully, mum was there to wipe
somewhere. his tears and is proving very
understanding about her lazy-arse
Times were when borderline son cluttering up the front room.
insanity, ruthlessness and an
inflated sense of ego were the "I'm basically living off my
only qualifications necessary for mother now. She's been very
a lifetime position as a supportive," Strasser told
dictator. Sadly in these days of Associated Press, last year, "It
economic decline jobs has been tough. I'm unemployed,
opportunities just aren?t what but I'm coping."
they used to be. So what does
life on the dole mean for former Times have certainly changed
dictators? since Strasser, in 1992, led a
small group of officers, known as
Well, if you are a washed-up and ?the boys? to power, ousting yet
homeless 35 years old, like another dictator, Major General
former dictator Valentine Josef Momoh. At the time Strasser
Strasser it means moving back in was hailed as a hero by many,
with mum. Ten years ago Valentine especially when he put the
was flying high as the world's national TV station back on the
youngest head of state. air.
scholarship, he holed up in the
Its always a temptation to feel UK and enrolled at Warwick
sorry for the jobless but before University. Unfortunately, he
you do its worth remembering that only managed 18 months of study,
Strasser was no angel. His short but with a little ingenuity,
sojourn in power was perhaps the advice of a good
characterised by some pretty career guidance officer, the
nasty acts from torture of his ingenious Strasser could surely
enemies to the enforced turn this into something bit more
recruitment of child soldiers. It concrete. Lets face it, who
had all started so promisingly doesn?t embellish their CV just a
and Strasser collected a teeny little bit? He seems to
formidable selection of allies have already got the hang of it,
and acolytes, including Bill changing his name to Reginald.
Clinton and John Major. However Whether this increases his job
only eight months in and prospects remains to be seen.
allegations of torture began to
spread. Pretty soon Britain It wasn?t his fault he was a
suspended aid to Sierra Leone and university dropout or that he was
the international community deported. He missed his mum.
isolated Strasser. Denied unemployment benefit
because of some silly government
Apart from an obvious talent to rule meaning ex-dictators are not
undemocratically take over entitled to unemployment benefit,
countries what else does Strasser Valentine cuts a lonely figure in
have on his CV? It?s heartening the bars of Freetown. For one
to see old friends don?t forget thing he has had to economise in
the less fortunate. Thanks to the ways that will send shudders down
UK government and the United the spines of other members of
Nations, who gave him law the Executive Dictator Job Club.
The Ray Bans and the snazzy case someone gets hurt.
designer suits have gone.
Replaced with a baseball cap and, Valentine is pragmatic, although
perhaps, the ultimate symbol of given to reminiscing about better
the free world - Nike trainers. times "Oh it was good. I was the
youngest head of state in the
Poor old Strasser cannot even whole wide world," he said.
afford a second hand car, which Whatever you say about him, hope
makes it a bit hard to dodge the certainly springs eternal. In a
stones thrown at him as he walks move that would make any job
to the local offie. Thankfully, centre proud to call him a
the new government have been very client, he is looking forward to
understanding on this point and running for government in the
has exhorted people to desist in upcoming democratic elections.
About the Author:
I work for the ethical jobs directory which also sells fairtrade plus we have Ethical Company articles for you to read or publish.
Read more articles by: Indiann Davinos
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