Global leaders need to be servant leaders

ACCORDING to most major news outlets, Democratic Party president-elect Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the US. As has happened several times before, American voters denied another sitting president a second term.

Despite President Trump’s catastrophic, racist and at times fascist term of office, many Americans still voted for him. Moreover, most Americans agree that key issues such as handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, police brutality, tensions with China and race relations deteriorated under the Trump administration.

The question that need to be explored is why so many Americans still voted for Trump.

It is long-established that besides congratulatory messages, presidents, governments, political and social commentators send policy suggestions to incoming presidents and their governments on a variety of matters, including foreign strategy.

My recommendation to the next president of the US is do not follow the “policies” of previous US presidents. Do not continue the system of conflicts under the guise of “war on terror” to unsettle sovereign countries.

Avoid war and imperialism at all cost – let truth, justice, human rights, social justice and reconciliation be your flashlight.

The world can be a better place if global leaders become servant leaders and focus on challenges faced by the working class, less privileged people and connect fairly with all nations, races and religions.

MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg