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.

“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.

Long-serving African leaders are reportedly taking drastic measures to protect their leadership positions, following the spate of coups overthrowing democratic governments across the continent.

With Gabon being the latest country to succumb to a military takeover, the fear of being toppled has expectedly ripped through the walls protecting the leaders.

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Cameroon’s Paul Biya, have reportedly affected panicky changes in their countries’ military formations.

According to a statement published on the Rwanda Defense Force’s official website on Wednesday, President Paul Kagame approved the retirement of several RDF generals, including senior presidential advisor on security matters, James Kabarebe.

“The president has also approved the retirement of 83 Senior Officials, 86 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, 6 Junior Officers, 678 end-of-contract retirements, 160 soldiers who were discharged on medical grounds,” the statement partly reads.

According to local media reports, some of those retired had attained the retirement age of 65 while others were indicted in some misconduct.

The senior military officers also include Fred Ibingira, Charles Kayonga, Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Martin Nzaramba, Eric Murokore, Augustin Turagara, Charles Karamba, Albert Murasira, Chris Murari, Didace Ndahiro, and Emmanuel Ndahiro.

Similarly, Biya who has served as the Cameroonian president for 40 years reshuffled the country’s defense cabinet.

Among the posts reshuffled were the delegate to the presidency in charge of defense, air force staff, navy, and the police, as announced on his X social media platform.

The 90-year-old Biya remains one of the longest-serving African leaders as he came to power in a coup d’etat in 1982. His rulership has been characterized by reports of oppression and human rights abuses.

Following the retirement changes in Rwanda’s military formation, Kagame also approved the promotion and
appointment of some officers to replace the previous office holders, according to the RDF.

Kagame has been in power since 2000, and in 2015, Rwanda’s constitution was changed to allow Kagame to remain president until 2034, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has ruled Gabon for 56 years, was deposed in a coup by top military officers, and the coupists named Gen Brice Oligui Nguema as the transitional leader, a development celebrated by the Gabonese.

The coup is believed to have been inspired by the sham election, in which the Gabonese Election Centre (CGE) declared Bongo as the winner – a development that would have seen him remain in power for the next seven years.

Ali Bongo served as the minister of defense under his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon with an iron fist from 1967 to 2009. After his death, Ali Bongo took his place as president and has ruled ever since.

The situation in Gabon follows the trend of military coups in Africa, which has seen seven countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Chad, Guinea, and Niger fall under military rulership.