….warns African leaders to focus on changing the lives of their citizens
Following the announcement of some group of senior Gabonese military officers who appeared on national television in the early hours of Wednesday and claimed they have taken over power, minutes after the state election body announced President Ali Bongo as the winner of the Presidential election for the third term, the Head of Mission, International Peace Commission IPC-Nigeria who doubles as Global vice Chairman, Advocacy for Good Governance and social justice Network, Amb Dr. Hussaini Coomassie has appealed to the coup plotters to as a matter of urgency return power back to the people through democratic process.
He made this known in an interview with journalists on his way back from an international engagement at the airport.
Coomassie urges Africa leaders to watch their steps and do that which they are elected for, adding that military are supposed to protect democracy and not the other way round, they shouldn’t use corruption and abuse of power as their reasons for their actions, because they are equally guilty of the same offence. Military coups are old fashion, let’s try something different, to checkmate our leaders.
“Coup in Garbon is condemnable and that’s why we’re calling on African, European Union and the United Nations to stand up firmly to discourage military taking over powers, before it gets out of hand, especially in Africa. The whole thing is occurring so fast, just like a bush fire.
“We have so many African leaders that have over stayed their welcome in power and are no longer valued in their respected countries. It is important for all African leaders and the west to start to dialogue, in order to avoid future occurences.
“I’ll plead with my fellow compatriots to understand that coup d’etat shouldn’t be an alternative to a democratic system. Our military should bear in mind that, they are the bedrock of a smooth democracy. Yes there are many African countries that are suffering from bad leadership (Autocratic Democrats) in power, therefore AU & ECOWAS should reach out to those leaders as soon as possible to change their leadership styles, before it’s too late.
“In as much as we don’t want military rules in Africa, we’re equally demanding from African leaders to look into the needs of their citizens and address them accordingly.” We acknowledge the fact that there is economic meltdown, which has affected so many countries in recent years, including USA, UK, France and other parts of the world. The purpose of our leaders being in power is to touch the lives of their citizens positively and definitely not to enrich themselves and their friends. Some leaders wants to be in power till eternity, yet they do nothing to improve the lives of people they govern, they don’t want to relinquish power even when they loses elections, such ideas should be discouraged now.
“There are leaders who after finishing their terms in office, would want to amend their country’s constitution just to remain in power,’ these are some of the things that triggers the masses against the government. Those that haven’t felt the wave should look inward before it gets to them, I’m afraid the way things are going recently if not properly tackled, it will consume many.
“My advice to the world leaders is that, we should work hard towards avoiding this trend to continue or it would be a bad omen. We are pleading with the military in the affected countries to kindly return their countries to democratic rule, within the shortest possible time,” he concluded.
The coup in Gabon represent the eighth on the continent of Africa within just three years and the countries consumed by coups are: Sudan, Burkina Fasso, Mali, Guinea, Chad, Niger and now Gabon.
Kudos to our galant Military, for their unflinching support towards sustaining Democracy in Nigeria, we urge them to do more and we will give them the maximum support they need in terms of promoting peace across Nigeria.
Let there be peace, war is an enemy that must be avoided at all cost, please.
