President Bola Tinubu, while addressing a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, underscored the need for African leaders to uphold democracy, respect the rule of law, and ensure lasting political stability.
The President stressed the detrimental consequences of military coups during his speech, cautioning against their occurrence in both the West African sub-region and across Africa due to their obstructive nature in terms of development.
At a high-level event hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) alongside the Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting, the President hammered on the importance of democratic revival and urged African military institutions and states to recognize and honor it.
In his capacity as the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the Nigerian leader expressed the importance of discouraging coups d’état in the continent, particularly in light of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.
Through Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President conveyed his concern in the statement, lamenting the fact that West Africa, despite possessing numerous instruments and mechanisms to foster democracy and good governance, is surpassing other regions in resorting to unconstitutional means for government changes.
The President cautioned against the concerning trend of military involvement in politics. He noted that it poses a threat to peace, security, and stability, resulting in adverse consequences such as poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
A statement issued by Mr. Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, cited Tinubu as saying, ‘This ugly trend has only succeeded in threatening the peace, security and stability of the sub-region and, by extension, the African continent, leaving in its trail poverty, internally-displaced persons and humanitarian crisis.’
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‘In the same vein, this ugly trend has also led to food shortages and escalated health challenges.’
‘We, therefore, must take deliberate steps to address the root causes of unconstitutional changes and coups d’état in Africa.’
‘As a continent, we cannot make progress toward achieving the goals and targets of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, as well as those of AU Agenda 2063 for the ‘Africa We Want’.
‘Between 2020 and now, Africa has witnessed six successful coups d’état and three unsuccessful attempts. This rise in military takeovers and unconstitutional changes in government disrupts our democratic processes and undermine stability on the continent.’
‘It is for this reason that I call on all African leaders at all levels to make concerted efforts in respecting the tenets of democracy and the rule of law, in order to ensure political stability on the continent,’ he added.
Reiterating that Africa has no intention of relapsing on its democratic progress and credentials, as well as its maturing democratic political culture, President Tinubu stated: ‘I call on all Afro-centric supranational organisations, especially the African Union, the various regional economic communities and regional mechanisms, to individually and collectively adopt protocols on democracy and good governance, and ensure their effective implementation.’
President Tinubu, while acknowledging the complexities and potential challenges, said that democracy remains the optimal governmental framework for Africa in the 21st century.
In comparing military rule to democratic regimes, he underscored that democracy fosters good governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
Underlining the importance of discouraging coups d’état, the Chairperson of ECOWAS called on the United Nations to assertively condemn and take a firm position against military coups and the urgency needed for collective action.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the intrinsic link between democracy and development in realizing sustainable objectives and the African vision. He stressed that the steadfast commitment to democratic principles and effective governance is vital for fostering enduring peace, security, and economic prosperity.
The President, serving as the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said he’s prepared to collaborate with the UNDP and other development partners in driving forward the cause of democracy across Africa.
In appreciation of the UNDP’s invitation to deliver a goodwill message at the event, the Nigerian leader expressed his gratitude and conveyed his dedicated commitment to tackling the issue of military coups and advancing the cause of democratic renewal in Africa.