Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza [1]‘s attempt to extend his two-term limit [2] led to mass protests and later an unsuccessful military coup [3] on May 13, 2015 while he was on a regional meeting in Tanzania. The coup delayed his return to Burundi.
A total of 18 African countries [4] do not have presidential term limits, although new research suggests [5] that most Africans support two-term presidential term limit. Politicians clinging to power despite the will of the people is no laughing matter, but a little laughter is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.
The failed coup in Burundi led to a slew of humorous tweets, especially from Ugandans whose own president is seeking a fifth term [6].
Kemigisa Jacky, a Ugandan journalism student, making reference to Nkurunziza's supposed claim that God has approved his bid for a third term, wrote:
But I am curious to know what God is now telling Nkurunziza! Considering it was God who okayed 3rd term run. #AskNkurunziza [7]
— kemigisa jacky (@JackyKemigisa) May 13, 2015 [8]
Ugandan Twitter user MartinAhabwe asked Nkurunziza:
Any improvement on your Maths chief,which term is it now,1st,2nd or Zero? #AskNkurunziza [7]
— MartinAhabwe (@AhabweMartin) May 13, 2015 [9]
Some created the #NkurunzizaPlaylist hashtag, [10]where they share titles of songs for Nkurunziza.
The YouTube video below was shared [11] on Twitter under #NkurunzizaPlaylist [10] by Mkandamizaji. This was before Nkurunziza returned to Burundi from Tanzania following the coup. The song is “I Am Coming Home” by Morgan Heritage:
Allan Ssenyonga, a Ugandan teacher and writer, chose a song by the late American rapper Tupac Shakur:
It's me against the world – 2Pac (Nkurunziza is on the extreme right) #NkurunzizaPlaylist [10] pic.twitter.com/QK4eKkwkYy [12]
— Allan Ssenyonga (@ssojo81) May 13, 2015 [13]
Uganda Twitter user Ellis Ralph went for American musician Tyrese:
How You Gonna Act Like That – Tyrese #NkurunzizaPlaylist [10]
— Ellis Ralph (@akorabirungi) May 13, 2015 [14]
While Odokonyero, a pharmacy student, opted for singer R.Kelly:
#BurundiCoup [15] #NkurunzizaPlaylist [10] If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time | R.Kelly.
— Odokonyero (@OdoKent) May 13, 2015 [16]
Elizabeth Paulat, a freelance journalist based in Kampala, Uganda, chose British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap [17]:
HA! Amazing #NkurunzizaPlaylist [10] I'll add “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap https://t.co/74fnVHxcPd [18]
— Lizabeth Paulat (@LizabethPaulat) May 13, 2015 [19]
@mmnjug selected British R&B singer Mark Morrisson [20]:
#NkurunzizaPlaylist [10] – Return of the Mack!
— mmnjug™ (@mmnjug) May 15, 2015 [21]
The Royco Guy imagined Nkurunziza stranded in Tanzania with a single suit:
When yo stranded in Tanzania and you only got 1 suit pic.twitter.com/8kwaSSYfqX [22]
— The Royco Guy (@Currie_Powder) May 13, 2015 [23]
He also imagined how the hotel would treat him as an ‘ex-president':
When the hotel manager in Dar Es Salaam asks you to get out of the VIP room coz it's only reserved for presidents…. pic.twitter.com/D5QKNhZ2NW [24]
— The Royco Guy (@Currie_Powder) May 13, 2015 [25]
Despite the crisis engulfing Burundi, laughter is still the best medicine.