Al-Tadamun: Our final question is inspired by a decision made by two African leaders. The question is: Can we expect you to follow the example of these two leaders,- namely, Senegalese President Senghor and Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, retire or step down one day?
President Barre: I believe that this is necessary. The question is how and when. But it still remains necessary. I will give you an example: If a person climbs a high mountain and reaches the top, he will stay there for some time. But he is bound to begin the descent one day. This is my situation. I have been on the top administering my country's affairs for a long time. Perhaps I do not have many years left before I begin the descent from mountaintop, particularly since this is the law of nature and life itself.
