Stand Firm Against Military Coups, Tinubu Tells African Leaders In light of problems like the COVID-19 pandemic, President Bola Ahmed Tinub...
Stand Firm Against Military Coups, Tinubu Tells African Leaders
In light of problems like the COVID-19 pandemic, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged African leaders to avoid coups d'état on the continent.
African leaders have been urged to avoid coups d'état by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in light of issues like the COVID-19 epidemic, instability, and climate change.
In his remarks at a high-level gathering held in Kenya in conjunction with the Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting, the president made this comment.
African military institutions and governments were asked by Tinubu to acknowledge and appreciate the need for democratic renewal as he urged African leaders to uphold democracy, the rule of law, and political stability.
In a statement delivered by Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the president expressed regret that West Africa, despite having numerous tools and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, is setting the example for other regions by using extralegal means to overthrow governments.
The head of state of Nigeria, who also serves as chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, issued a dire warning about the dangers posed to peace, security, and stability as well as the poverty, uprooting, and humanitarian crises that are being brought on by the military's ugly trend of entering politics.
With poverty, internal displacement, and humanitarian crises as a byproduct, this terrible trend has only succeeded in endangering the sub-regions peace, security, and stability and, indirectly, the stability of the entire African continent. Similar to how it has caused food shortages and worsening health issues, this unpleasant tendency has likewise done both. Therefore, we must consciously take action to address the underlying reasons for illegitimate changes and coup d'états in Africa. The ambitions and goals set forth in the AU Agenda 2063 for the "Africa We Want" as well as the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development cannot be achieved by the continent as a whole.
Between 2020 through the present, there have been six successful and three unsuccessful coups d'état in Africa. Our democratic procedures are hampered by the surge in military coups and unlawful regime changes, which also threaten regional stability.
For this reason, he urged all African leaders to work together to uphold the principles of democracy and the rule of law in order to maintain political stability on the continent.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Dele Alake, Tinubu reaffirmed that Africa had no intention of going backward on its democratic accomplishments and reputation, as well as its developing political culture of democracy.
"I call on all Afrocentric supranational organizations, particularly the African Union, the various Regional Economic Communities, and Regional Mechanisms, to individually and collectively adopt Protocols on democracy and good governance, and to ensure their effective implementation," he said.
The president maintained that democracy is the ideal form of government for 21st-century Africa while conceding that it can create obstacles in terms of administration and dynamics.
Democratization ensures effective governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, according to Tinubu, who compared military control with democratic regimes.
The ECOWAS Chairperson emphasized the need to deter coups d'état and encouraged the UN to adopt a strong stand against them.
I believe that African governments must work to deter coups d'état while addressing the difficulties brought on by the socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geostrategic tragedies, such as insecurity and climate change, among others.
He added, "The United Nations must likewise be resolute and unwavering in its opposition to military coups.
A commitment to democratic ideals and governance is essential for long-term peace, security, and economic prosperity, he added. He also highlighted the connections between democracy and development in reaching sustainable goals and the African vision.
In his capacity as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the President declared his willingness to collaborate with the UNDP and other development partners to advance the cause of democracy on the African continent.
The president expressed his gratitude to UNDP for inviting him to speak at the occasion and assured them of his commitment to addressing the problem of military coups and fostering democratic rebirth in Africa.
"I am passionate about and actually committed, with my colleagues, to confront the issue of Military Coups and the need for Democratic renewal in Africa, and we are prepared to change the narratives," he stated.
He praised the UNDP for releasing its most important report, "Soldiers and Citizens: Milit
