Learn From Niger’s Coup – Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah, Deputy Chair in charge of Operations at the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called upon African leaders to engage in profound self-examination of their leadership to curb the recurrence of coup d’états on the continent. This, he emphasized, is imperative for identifying the root causes and justifications behind the frequent coups and finding viable solutions.
Namibian African Peer Review Mechanism
Mr. Akuamoah shared these thoughts during an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the NCCE received an eight-member delegation from the Namibian African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Accra. The delegation was led by Mr. Lineekela J. Mboti, the CEO of Namibian APRM, who sought to understand the NCCE’s execution of its civic education mandate.
Akuamoah’s remarks come amidst a backdrop of military juntas across Africa overthrowing multiple democratic governments since 2021. Countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and most recently, Niger, have witnessed this unsettling trend. The most recent coup in Niger occurred on July 26, 2023, when the elected President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted by presidential guards. The country’s constitution was suspended, and General Abdourahmane Tchiani was installed as the new Head of State.
Recurrence of Coups
Expressing deep concern, Mr. Akuamoah lamented the recurrence of coups even after years of efforts to promote democratic principles across the continent. He viewed the Niger coup as an opportunity for introspection, calling for critical examination of the causes and justifications underlying such actions. Reflecting on the essence of a democratic mandate, Akuamoah particularly emphasized accountability to the people and suggested that transparent governance could mitigate challenges.
Moreover, he urged calm among the warring factions and regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the conflict in Niger does not spread to neighboring countries. Highlighting the presence of violent extremist groups in the subregion, Akuamoah shared Ghana’s efforts to educate communities about the threats posed by these groups and prevent potential attacks.
Silencing the gun
Mr. Lineekela J. Mboti, the leader of the Namibian delegation, emphasized the need for democratically elected African leaders to enhance governance standards to deter coup d’états. He expressed regret that Africa failed to achieve the goal of “silencing the gun” by 2020 and urged other African countries to prevent West Africa’s situation from becoming a blueprint for the rest of the continent. Mboti highlighted the devastating consequences of political instability, particularly on women and children, and emphasized the importance of fostering lasting peace.
The recent coup in Niger has ignited discussions on the need for deep self-reflection among African leaders to address the underlying causes of such political upheavals and work towards sustainable solutions to ensure peace and democratic governance prevail across the continent. It is essential to learn from Niger’s Coup.
Source: GNA
