Clinging to power for decades is an established norm that has been practiced throughout the modern history by many African leaders.
And many do so either by force, breaking laws or bending constitutions to ensure they hold onto power for many years with no signs of stepping down anytime soon.
Some have gone as far as literally turning the presidency into monarchs where they hand over power to their sons to continue their not so pleasant legacies.
In some incidences, any attempts to transfer power from one leader to the next has been chaotic and violent, resulting in coups.
The continent has in the last three years experienced eight coups in what mutinous soldiers termed as efforts to restore respect to the rule of law.
