…says no place for coups
President Bola Tinubu has called on African leaders to respect and uphold democratic practices and the rule of law, as a means to sustaining political stability and administrative continuity on the continent.
President Tinubu further called on the United Nations to take a firm and decisive stance against military coups.
He spoke in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, at an event organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the sideline of the Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting.
Tinubu further called the attention of African military institutions and states, on the need to recognise and institute democratic renewal.
The Nigerian leader, who is also the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said coups d’état should be discouraged on the continent, as they only served to draw the continent backwards in the face of global politican and economic advancement.
In a statement, presented on his behalf by Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu said it was regrettable that West Africa, despite its numerous instruments and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, is leading the region in the use of unconstitutional means to change governments.
He said the incursion of the military into the politics is undermining peace, security and stability, and leading to poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
”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,” he observed.
