Mozambican Brigadier General Joaquim Marcos Manjate said core values of ethical leadership should include fulfilling the basic needs of those who are led, as well as seeking consensus between leaders and the led, for the good of the whole community.

Speaking at the Next Generation of African Security Sector Leaders program in Alexandria, VA, the 33-year veteran of the Mozambique armed forces—currently Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs at the Mozambique War College—lectured the audience October 22, 2103, on overcoming leadership challenges.

The nearly 60 African participants from 40 countries were attending a three-week capacity building program organized by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) just outside Washington, D.C.

“There is no way you can be an ethical leader if people’s needs are not met,” Brig. Gen. Manjate said. He added that the leaders’ aspirations have to be aligned with the one of their followers, and those who fail to appreciate that necessity are bound to fail. Drawing from history, Brig. Gen. Manjate said some African nationalists who fought against colonialism started as leaders with great ethical value and quickly gained a popular legitimacy among the populations they led.

However, as they reached power, they increasingly moved to become non-ethical leaders: dictators. “There are numerous examples across the continent,” Brig. Gen. Manjate said The Mozambican general pointed out two types of leadership: transactional leadership and transformational leadership. Transactional leadership appeals to more operational, day-to-day actions, while transformational leaders work toward a common goal with followers; put followers in front and develop them; take followers to next level; and inspire followers to transcend their own self-interests in achieving superior results.

Transformational leaders have charisma, a set purpose, and an unparalleled drive, he said, adding that at this moment of its history the African continent most needs transformational leaders. Brig. Gen. Manjate also said African leaders—particularly in the security sector—often face a cruel dilemma: protect the constitution and the population, or ensure the security of the ruling power. He added that many African countries forces are yet to solve this dilemma. He also insisted that the above dilemma is part of many nations’ holistic struggle to instill a sense of citizenship and common goals among populations from various tribes, to include its security forces.

“Ethical leadership does not only consist in the application of philosophical and moral principles,” he insisted. “What is moral for one is not necessarily moral for other. African countries—and their leaders especially—have to address that diversity and come up with a common set of understanding, especially in their security forces.” The Africa Center is the pre-eminent Department of Defense institution for strategic security studies, research, and outreach in Africa.

ACSS offers a range of academic symposiums, workshops, and programs throughout Africa, the United States, and Europe. Since 1999, more than 6,000 African and international leaders have participated in ACSS programs. - See more at africacenter.org/