Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has joined growing voices calling on African countries to address the fundamental issues that have fueled an uptick in coups across the continent in recent years.
In a post shared via his X (Twitter) social media account on Thursday, Atiku said African leaders should focus on addressing the causative factors of the coups instead of treating the symptoms.
While he condemned the coups, especially the most recent one in Gabon, he called for collective efforts for the sustainability of democracy in Africa.
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“The coup in Gabon stands condemned. Democracy and democratic governance have come to stay as a preferred form of governance, and everything should be done to enthrone, nurture, and sustain it,” he said.
“As I suggested in the case of the Niger Republic, the ECOWAS and African Union authorities should open a window of diplomatic engagement that will pave the way for the soldiers to return to the barracks.”
“The latest coup brings the number of military takeovers in Central and West Africa to 8 since 2020. This is worrisome and calls for introspection.
“We may have to focus on dealing with the disease and not the symptoms that birth coups.”
On Wednesday, Gabon became the latest African country to fall to the grip of the military, escalating the spate which has been widely denounced as a threat to democratic leadership in Africa.
Democratic leadership in Africa is characterized by fraudulent elections, poor economic policies, and corruption – which have plunged the continent into abject poverty.
This leadership situation has been identified as the major cause of coups in Africa. Citizens of Gabon and Niger Republic were seen jubilating in the streets following military takeovers in the respective countries.
Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Chad, Guinea, Niger and Gabon are now under military rule.
Efforts by the African Union and regional bloc – the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to curtail the trend have failed. ECOWAS is yet to activate military action in Niger – even after the seven-day ultimatum that it issued to the junta to restore constitutional order expires.
The bloc’s ineffectiveness has been attributed to the overwhelming support of the coups by the people, who see no difference between military and democracy.
In its response to the coup in Gabon, the U.S. called for the release of President Ali Bongo and his family, who have been in detention since the coup was executed on Wednesday, but also expressed support for the Gabonese people whose will was subverted during the presidential election.
“We urge those responsible to release and ensure the safety of members of the government and their families and to preserve civilian rule.
“In addition, we call on all actors to show restraint and respect for human rights and to address their concerns peacefully through dialogue following the announcement of election results.
“We also note with concern the lack of transparency and reports of irregularities surrounding the election. The United States stands with the people of Gabon,” the US Department of State spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said in a statement.