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Lea Lahoud INTL 3111 Mr. Robert Arnold 26 June 2011 Politics and Culture Essay Rough Draft Chinua Achebe s 1987 novel, Anthills of the Savannah, introduces three schoolmates; Sam, Chris, and Ikem, who become major figures in a new regime in the fictional West African land of Kangan. Even though Sam has felt his military background was inadequate preparation for a position as a president, his childhood friends have encouraged him and have helped him get appointed. Soon after, they start to regret their support for their friend because they realize he is turning into a dictator. The novel is centered on the theme of power and the selfdestruction that follows. Sam becomes a leader only concerned with himself with no regards to his people, and apprehensive with being seen by outsiders as a powerful figure rather than actually being one. Sam reveals to be an incompetent president and the nation wants to put an end to his destructive ruling. Achebe s fictional character could easily be matched up to a real life person. This novel details the events that led up to Sam s removal similar to the fourth president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak s thirty year dictatorship presidency has finally come to an end after the country rises up against him. In the beginning of the story, the reader realizes the extent of the Sam s power; his mood simply determines everyone else s mood, yet he is terrified of a civilian uprising and his fear becomes a constant nightmare (12). Throughout the story, the reader also observes Sam

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as a leader without any regard for his people. He is seeking only to acquire more power for himself by any means necessary. He becomes blinded by power and insists on being called His Excellency; that shows signs of arrogance and pride. He arranges for his friends to be given government roles in order to give him advice and help him as he takes on a role that is unfitting for him. All he truly cares about is to be exhibited as a smart leader. However, his insecurities and self-esteem are displayed, yet he quickly hides them when he shows off his power. As a result of his egocentricity, the people are unsatisfied and organize a coup d'tat against him to remove him from his position. Achebe continues to show examples of the ruthless dictator all through the book. For instance, His Excellency wants to be elected President-of-Life, and when the people of Abazon refuse to participate he denies the region access to water despite a drought and expects the people to give in. He prefers to upset the people to get what he wants than giving up some of his unreasonable dreams. He later becomes anxious and thinks people are turning against him, particularly, some of his own men. The old president, Ngongo, advised Sam to pay close attention to his familiar friends and told him: Your greatest risk is your boyhood friends, those who grew up with you in your village. Keep them at arm s length and you will live young. (22) At this point, His Excellency becomes paranoid, and he soon afterwards starts to turn against his two friends that have been along his journey.