International Relations Expert Dr Ken Ahorsu
An International Relations Expert at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), Dr Ken Ahorsu, has cautioned African leaders against acting in ways that give rise to upheavals and military takeovers on the continent.
Dr Ahorsu told TV3’s Martin Asiedu–Darteh in interview on the News@10 Monday, September 6, that the African continent is currently saddled with enormous political and economic grievances.
This situation, he said, if not nipped in the bud could spell doom for most of the countries.
He was commenting on the coup d’état that occurred in Guinea on Sunday, September 5.
Soldiers appeared on national TV in Guinea claiming to have dissolved the government of President Alpha Condé.
This follows hours of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry.
Dr Ahorsu said “The issue is a very frightening one. We have seen it during the Rawlings time where there were a lot of coup d’états happening across the continent.
“The danger we face so much today is that there is so much social-economic grievances, political grievances to the point that the sort of uprising that will come about as what was happening in Nigeria during the protest against the police is that, eventually there may be overthrow of governments whereby we may not have leaders who are able to direct the country properly and there will be chaos all over Africa.
“This is why the word to the wise is enough. All those sitting in the citadels of, or living in the comfort of power and think they have surrounded themselves with militia and people and they are plundering the nation, they should begin thinking because the destiny of the continent, the destiny of Africa, the destiny of countries are at stake.”
Following the development in Guinea, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in a communique on Sunday condemned “with the greatest firmness this coup attempt on Sunday, September 5, 2021.
“ECOWAS demands respect for the physical integrity of the President of the Republic, the Professor Alpha Condé and his immediate and unconditional release as well as that of all the personalities arrested.
“It also demands the return to constitutional order on pain of sanctions. ECOWAS reaffirms its disapproval of any unconstitutional political change.
“She asks the defense and security forces to remain in a posture. Republican and expresses its solidarity with the Guinean people and Government,” the communique signed by ECOWAS Chair, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said that if steps are not taken quickly by African leaders to right the wrongs in the society, the era of military takeovers may return.
He stated that factors that build fertile grounds for coup d’états are emerging in most African countries, a situation he said, must be dealt with immediately in order to sustain the democracies of these countries.
Unwarranted thirst for third term, corruptions, joblessness, poverty, manipulation of constitution, profligacy of the ruling elite and impunity are what give rise to military takeovers.
Commenting on this in a tweet, Mr Ablakwa said “The disturbing development s in Guinea which comes after a similar undesirable military interventions in Mali, Chad, Sudan must remind African leaders that the coup era of the 1960s and 80s may sadly return if the unwarranted thirst for third term, corruptions, joblessness, poverty manipulation of constitution, profligacy of the ruling elite and naked impunity are not curbed.
“Instead of waiting late in the day to hearten sanctions on failed democracies and cub regional blocs such as AU, ECOWAS, SADC and EAC should be boldly proactive in calling out their peers on the wrong track and demanding good governance that meets the expectations of the masses, particularly African youth.”