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Vice-president Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and the South African President, Mr Jacob Zuma have jointly condemned African leaders who violate their constitution by extending their term limits.

The two leaders who were responding to questions on the sorry state of the African continent in terms of presidential limits at the just ended World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town were unanimous in their call for the African Union (AU) to impose sanctions on such “dictators” whose actions undermines Africa’s quest to reimage itself.

It was on the theme, "Then and now: reimaging Africa’s future.” It assemble regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to take stock of progress over the last 25 years.

The leaders were submitting on the political situation in Burundi, which has thrown that country into chaos over the decision by its President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek extend his term.

Scored of people have been killed, and more than 550 injured in continuing protests.

While Mr Amissah-Arthur stressed the need for the issue of presidential term limits to be highlighted at the AU summit in Johannesburg this week, Mr Zuma said in no uncertain terms that stressed that Africa as a political bloc should resolve not to allow any attempt by presidents on the continent to extend their constitutional mandate.

“This business of us agreeing to serve two terms, only to realise ten years is too short, is a problem,” Zuma said.

The Vice-President told the delegates that there were attempts by the Economic Community Of  West African States (ECOWAS) to determine a two-term limit for presidents, which, for him, would bring an end to the political crisis that had often hit many African nations.

“That may be a solution that will bring an end to this kind of agitation. I know that the AU will be meeting in a couple of days here in South Africa and that discussion should take place,” Mr Amissah-Arthur indicated.

For Mr Zuma rising political maturity in post-colonial Africa was had witnessed citizens become increasingly intolerant of undemocratic leaders and that the time had come for the continent to rebrand itself and make it more attractive to foreign direct investments.

Ghana’s Vice-President indicated that in spite of the diverse political systems in Africa the continent had to a large extend demonstrated its ability as a potential power and economic bloc to oversee the welfare of its people.

Mr Amissah-Arthur touted Ghana’s democratic credentials which many of the delegates cited as a model for the rest of Africa to emulate.