Columnists
Preventing Coups: Consolidating Good Governance -By Richard Odusanya
I like to use this contribution that focuses on preventive measures to respectfully join all our compatriots across the globe in wishing the leaders of ECOWAS and the African Union a successful deliberation as they reconvene to make decisions on the way forward. I also pray that the Lord will replicate the wisdom of King Solomon upon our leaders, so as to recognize the need to urgently address some of the burning issues – one of which is the instruments of NEPAD, which is responsible for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).
Africa’s cultural renaissance is a precursor to peace and a preemptive strike of coups in the continent. Since 1963, the quest for African Unity has been inspired by the spirit of Pan-Africanism, focusing on liberation, and political and economic independence. It is motivated by development based on self-reliance and self-determination of African people, with democratic and people-centered governance. This is the African dream; the Africa we want and the continent that our heroes envisioned. The African continent has the longest history in the world: it’s where human beings originated.
Africa’s democracy has progressed slowly – as such, poor governance is the main causative factor of the continent’s underdevelopment. As such, ‘Putschists’ have exploited these democratic deficits to assume the status of savior and seize power in many of our nations in Africa. However, coups d’états are not a panacea to the inability of democracy to deliver public goods and security to the people but are the very antithesis of a democratic culture. Therefore, a key step to discourage coups is to improve governance and forge stronger social contracts between citizens and the public across Africa; and enhance trust between the military and civilians by strengthening the relationship with the citizens.
Admittedly, the United States and other governments typically have responded to coups in Africa by pressing for a rapid return to elected governments — without any real effort to correct the weaknesses that produced the coups. Meanwhile, too often fundamental problems are left unresolved, including economic despair, setting the stage for the next coup or insurgency. While economic growth isn’t everything, poor economic conditions are a big driver of coups, and the rule of law that makes it possible can deter potential coup makers. Unarguably, multiple military coups around the Sahel shows the need for an honest appraisal and better policies across the continent of Africa.
As we say in local parlance, a popular adage in the Yoruba language: “Àgbàlagbà tó so yangan mọ́ ìdí, ló sọ ara rẹ̀ di aláwàdà fún adìyẹ” meaning that an elderly person who tied maize to his pants is the one who made himself an object of derision to the hen [Self-respect and self-discipline are crucial; how we appear determines how we are received.] It is thus, imperative that we amend our ways, otherwise, we will continue to grove in the dark, which in itself, is akin to self-inflating rhetoric – leaders could stop the military incursions in African politics by respecting the rule of law and providing good governance.
Thus, as African economies seek to restructure the system – good governance is the solution to Africa’s problems. African states should improve governance and oversight institutions like NEPAD which is instrumental to the provision of the platform of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). African countries must work hard to make certain that their governing processes provide citizens with the tools (e.g., an independent judiciary; a free press; free, fair, transparent, inclusive, and credible elections) to effectively guard the exercise of government power and force governments to be accountable to the people and the constitution. This is the real issue that need to be carefully and diligently addressed.
Sadly, and unfortunately so, in the last four years, there have been seven coup d’etats in the region. Three were successful. Leaders of ECOWAS and the African Union have threatened sanctions on these three countries, but nothing much has been done to deter other adventurous military leaders. Consequently, the aftermath of the coup d’etat in the Niger Republic on the 26th of July – the crisis could worsen insecurity throughout West Africa. The situation in the Niger Republic is a defining moment in the Sahel and West Africa. The coup in Niger has set off alarm bells across the Sahel. The political instability may provide a vacuum for insurgent groups to exploit, potentially leading to an uptick in violence in the region.
In conclusion, I like to use this contribution that focuses on preventive measures to respectfully join all our compatriots across the globe in wishing the leaders of ECOWAS and the African Union a successful deliberation as they reconvene to make decisions on the way forward. I also pray that the Lord will replicate the wisdom of King Solomon upon our leaders, so as to recognize the need to urgently address some of the burning issues – one of which is the instruments of NEPAD, which is responsible for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). NEPAD is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by the Member States of the African Union (AU) as an African self-monitoring mechanism. The APRM should be bold, and unique for the implementation of ‘Africans for Africa’ solutions. Hence it should, therefore, play a significant role that will be the key driver of the African Renaissance and rebirth in the circumstance.
Richard Odusanya is a Mind Restructuring Enthusiast.
