Era of coups may return

0
131

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto AblakwaMember of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said that if African leaders do not take steps quickly to right the wrongs in society, the era of military takeovers may return.

He stated that factors that build fertile grounds for coup d’états are emerging in most African countries, a situation he said must be dealt with immediately in order to sustain the democracies of these countries.

Unwarranted thirst for a third term, corruption, joblessness, poverty, manipulation of constitutions, profligacy of the ruling elite, and impunity give rise to military takeovers.

He was commenting on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) response to the coup d’état that occurred in Guinea on Sunday, September 5.

ECOWAS, in a communique on Sunday, condemned “with the greatest firmness this coup attempt on Sunday, September 5, 2021.”

“ECOWAS demands respect for the physical integrity of the President of the Republic, the Professor Alpha Condé and his immediate and unconditional release as well as that of all the personalities arrested.

“It also demands the return to constitutional order on pain of sanctions. ECOWAS reaffirms its disapproval of any unconstitutional political change.

“She asks the defence and security forces to remain in a posture. Republican and expresses its solidarity with the Guinean people and government,” the communique signed by ECWAS Chair, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said.

Soldiers appeared on national TV in Guinea claiming to have dissolved the government of President Alpha Condé.

However, the defence ministry said the attempted takeover had been thwarted by the presidential guard.

This follows hours of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry.

Commenting on this in a tweet, Mr Ablakwa said, “The disturbing developments in Guinea which come after a similar undesirable military interventions in Mali, Chad, Sudan must remind African leaders that the coup era of the 1960s and 80s may sadly return if the unwarranted thirst for third terms, corruption, joblessness, poverty manipulation of [the] constitution, profligacy of the ruling elite and naked impunity are not curbed.

“Instead of waiting late in the day to hearten sanctions on failed democracies and cub regional blocs such as AU, ECOWAS, SADC, and EAC should be boldly proactive in calling out their peers on the wrong track and demanding good governance that meets the expectations of the masses, particularly African youth.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here