Foreign Policy and Security Analyst, Adib Saani
Foreign Policy and Security Analyst, Adib Saani, has explained that the Guinean coup was an event expected by many in his world. “We knew this day will come,” he stated.
To him, a similar fate will befall all African leaders who decide to alter constitutions to satisfy their greed and disregard the plight of their citizens.
“Those of us who have followed the happenings in Guinea knew this day will eventually come. Let me say that all power-grabbing, greedy, and inward-looking African shenanigans who call themselves leaders will either end up like Alpha Conde or finish their mandate no matter what. Even if they change their constitutions, it will not end well with them.”
He cited that former South Africa’s Jacob Zuma was only granted parole yesterday on the basis of ill health and he is a living example of a politician not going scot-free after committing illegalities.
According to him, a lot is happening in countries on the continent. “So in essence what is happening in Guinea is just the people taking back what belongs to them.”
He described the ECOWAS and AU as hypocrites because they always watch the people suffer under leaders who abuse power and manipulate the constitution without saying anything. “When Alpha Conde altered the constitution and was elected for the 3rd term, President Akufo-Addo congratulated him but when the military ceased power, the ECOWAS, AU, and other leaders are issuing communiques all over the place.
It looks like ECOWAS is supporting these despotic regimes instead of supporting the people and what baffles me most is the fact that ECOWAS has good governance protocol and principles which see to freedom and fairness but still closes its eyes to certain happenings,” he said in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show.
To him, ECOWAS is a bully which is quick to intervene in happenings in smaller countries while leaving impunity in bigger countries to fester. “This is sad and defeats the purpose under which ECOWAS was birthed and gives some leaders the chance to engage in illegalities, satisfy themselves and family to the detriment of the citizenry. But one thing is for sure, the citizenry will rise up and grab power eventually. What happened in Guinea is a big lesson to all governments who refuse to listen to the people.”
Background
In a broadcast on state TV on Sunday night, a group of soldiers announced the dissolution of the constitution, the closure of the borders, and a nationwide curfew.
They said regional governors had been replaced by military commanders, and the ousted 83-year-old president was safe but in detention.
Col Doumbouya said his soldiers had seized power because they wanted to end rampant corruption, human rights abuses, and mismanagement.
President Condé was re-elected for a controversial third term in office amid violent protests last year.
The veteran opposition leader was first elected in 2010 in the country’s first democratic transfer of power. Despite overseeing some economic progress, he has since been accused of presiding over numerous human rights abuses and harassment of his critics.