In the statement, the leader of the Caucus, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, asserted that these coups are a direct consequence of poor governance, excessive ambitions, and a growing disconnect between leaders and their citizens.
Chinda emphasized that these coups serve as a cautionary signal of potential perils if African leaders fail to address these underlying issues.
The Minority Caucus urged African leaders to prioritize good governance and uphold the rule of law as the most effective means to prevent military interventions in democratic governance.
Furthermore, the lawmakers disapproved of any proposals by international bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations to employ force or coercion to restore democratic governance in Africa, asserting that such measures would exacerbate the situation and hinder the quest for peace and stability.
Instead, they called upon African leaders to collaborate in addressing the root causes of these coups, particularly focusing on issues like poor governance and poverty.
The statement conveyed the following:
“The recent upsurge in military coups across the African continent is deeply distressing and represents a significant setback for democracy, particularly when considering the substantial democratic strides made in the late 1980s and 1990s when civil rule was restored.
“The occurrence of military takeovers in countries like Sudan, Mali, Tunisia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and most recently, Gabon, over the past decade is a cause for serious alarm and concern.
“This trend is particularly worrisome as these countries are located in the Western, Northern, and Central regions of Africa, which collectively constitute a significant portion of the continent.”
“Unfortunately, citizens who have endured years of poor governance, economic hardship, social deprivation, deep-seated poverty, intimidation, and neglect by their leaders view military interventions, of any kind, as a welcome and liberating development.
“Due to the prolonged suffering and neglect they have experienced under the leadership of these authoritarian figures, the sound of martial music has become a source of solace and hope for these citizens.”
“These frequent coups in Africa are also attributed to the insatiable and undemocratic ambitions of certain leaders who manipulate and undermine the system to satisfy their personal desires.”
“History teaches us that revolutions often commence with seemingly insignificant incidents, but they can quickly escalate beyond control. Consider the French Revolution and the Arab Spring as examples.
