We Must Stop Military Coups From Root Causes, Tinubu Tells African Leaders At Kenya Meeting

In a passionate appeal to African leaders, President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the urgent need to address the root causes of military coups across the continent.

Speaking at a high-level meeting of the African Union held in Kenya on Saturday, Tinubu highlighted the detrimental impact of unconstitutional changes on Africa’s progress towards achieving the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for the “Africa We Want.”

Tinubu departed Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to join about 14 other heads of state and government, amongst others, for the AU’s fifth mid-year coordination meeting themed ‘Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation’.

The Nigerian leader, who is also the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, decried that despite West Africa’s numerous instruments and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, the region is leading other regions in the use of unconstitutional means to change governments.

He added that the ugly trend is causing threats to peace, security and stability, and engendering poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.

“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. 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 said.

Tinubu reiterated that Africa has no intention of regressing on its democratic gains, saying ”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.

”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 disincentivise coups d’état.

”The United Nations must also stand firm and unyielding in its opposition to military coups,” he said.

Tinubu also acknowledged that democracy and development are interconnected in achieving sustainable goals and the African vision, adding that commitment to democratic principles and governance is crucial for long-term peace, security, and economic growth.

As Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the President expressed his readiness to work with the UNDP and other development partners to advance the cause of democracy on the African continent.

He thanked the UNDP for inviting him to deliver a goodwill message at the event and assured the organisation of his commitment to confronting the issue of military coups and promoting democratic renewal in Africa.

”The issue of Military Coups and the need for Democratic renewal in Africa is one that I am passionate about and indeed committed, along with my colleagues, to confront and we are prepared to change the narratives,” he said.
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.

Jide Okeke, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), said his organisation invited the Nigerian leader after his inspiring message, denouncing military coups, during his inauguration as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 9.

He expressed delight that Tinubu’s presence and participation in the UN high-level event demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability, reasserting Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and the global community.

Okeke described the President’s message as sending a positive signal to the international community about Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability.