Tinubu To African Leaders – Respect Democracy, No More Coups

• Wants UN’s firm stand against Military intervention
• Decries unconstitutional changes in government

BY EDMOND ODOK – Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked African Leaders to unite against military coups and dictatorial regimes for the overall good of the continent.

This is as he warned that the military’s foray into the political arena is an ugly trend that causes threats to peace, security and stability, while also engendering poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises across Africa.

For him, it has become imperative for military institutions and states across Africa to recognize and respect the need for democratic renewal.

Speaking at a high-level event organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the margins of Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital on Saturday, President Tinubu said it behooves on African leaders to respect democracy, rule of law, and ensure political stability in their respective domains.

According to the Nigerian Leader, coups d’état should be discouraged in the continent, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.

In a speech presented through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the President expressed regrets that despite its numerous instruments and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, West Africa is leading other regions in the deployment of unconstitutional means to change governments.

Further drawing comparison between military regimes and democratic rule, President Tinubu said democracy ensures good governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, adding that despite existing challenges in terms of management and dynamics, democracy is still the best form of government for 21st century Africa.

The Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government said the ugly trend of the military straying into the political arena 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.

“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.”

According to him; “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.”

The President, while maintaining that Africa has no intention of regressing on its democratic gains and credentials, as well as its maturing democratic political culture, said; ”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.”

On the need to disincentivize coups d’état, President Tinubu said the United Nations (UN) must take the lead with its demonstrable firm stance against military coups, stressing; ”The United Nations must also stand firm and unyielding in its opposition to military coups.’

“It is my view that while grappling with the challenges caused by the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geostrategic tragedies, including insecurity and climate change amongst others, African leaders must disincentivize coups d’état.”

He commended the UNDP for launching its flagship report “Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa,” stating that the military has no place in the governance of the 21st Century Africa.

In his remarks, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), Jide Okeke said his organization extended invitation to President Tinubu based on his inspiring message, denouncing military coups, during his inauguration as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 9.

Okeke noted that President Tinubu’s participation in the UN high-level event further demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability, while also reasserting its leadership status in Africa and the global community.

The African Regional Coordinator said his (President Tinubu) message has sent a positive signal to the international community about Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability.

On UNDP flagship report, the African Regional Coordinator described it as timely in advancing Nigeria’s vision of stability for West Africa and the continent as a whole, explaining that the report combines empirical data, literature, and personal stories from citizens who have lived through coups, contrasting their experiences with those in countries transitioning to democracy.

A statement by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy indicated that other presentations at the occasion came from the Gambia’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambian Abroad, Dr Mamadou Tangara, Hanna Tetteh Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Amb. Bankole Adeoye Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission.