Ding dong! The Grand Old Man of Africa has gone. Robert Mugabe is the only leader that Zimbabwe has ever known since it gained independence from British rule back in 1980. And now after close to 40 long years, the people of that country have said enough is enough. A fresh start is what they want. And democracy is what they deserve. Yet once the euphoria wears off; once the celebrations die down, then comes the business of governance. The new man at the helm is said to be Emmerson Mnangagwa. He has long served under his predecessor. Meaning that his hands are somewhat bloody with the excesses of the Mugabe years. This is not forgetting how for the last three years he had served as the dictator’s vice president. Yet it was his moves to prevent Gucci Grace, the former first lady, from taking over stewardship of the country that saw him being unceremoniously sacked. And this is what prompted the Army’s intervention; to finally give Mugabe his marching orders. This, it has to be said, is a rather inauspicious start. For this was no people-led revolution. But a play for power. Nothing more. Nothing less. And the lessons for Pakistan are clear. Mugabe went from anti-imperialist freedom fighter to refusing to surrender his grip on power; as he amassed great fortune while his people starved. Whereas here, in this country, we have Nawaz Sharif, who only after having had the premiership taken away from him donned the stolen robes of the revolutionary democrat. Meaning that during his combined near 30-year rule — the thought of transforming the political landscape of this country for the good of the citizenry was never at the forefront of his political manifesto. Thus the people must not be fooled. This latest reincarnation is about nothing more than his return to power. After all, he said as much during his recent Abbottabad rally. What he has his eye on is the upcoming elections. Thus underscoring once again that this is about personality politics. For had it been about democracy — it should have been enough that the assemblies are on schedule to complete their terms. But Nawaz wants more, more, more. *