West Africa has a long history of military coups. From the early days of independence to date, almost all the countries in this unstable region have experienced military coups, with the exception of Cape Verde and Senegal. Up to a recent past Senegal has enjoyed the reputation of being the most stable democracy in the sub region. However, Senegal is gradually losing this reputation due to a continued violation of democratic principles such as corroborated by the ruling party’s constant unilateral revision of the constitution (we will elaborate more about this in our next piece). While I agree with the principle of zero tolerance for military coups adopted by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Community at large, I strongly believe that there needs to be a mechanism to relieve citizens of incapable presidents who will never be overthrown by elections or the citizens’ discontent, but manipulate their countries’ constitutions to remain in power for ever, that is, until death decides otherwise. Unfortunately, the continent is infested with such leaders. The recent military coup that took place in Guinea in the aftermath of President Conté’s death has raised lots of questions about whether military coups are always condemnable. Lansana Conté who came to power after Sékou Touré’s death in 1984 did not organize elections until 9 years later--in 1993. All the elections organized in Guinea throughout his tenure were contested. Yet the man managed to stay in power until his death on 22 December 2008. During Conté’s reign, the international community, including AU and ECOWAS, does not seem to have done much to end the suffering of the Guinean people. Now that the president is gone and the military took over the international community is calling for a return to constitutional order. But what constitution are we talking about? - the one that has been tampered with several times to service Conté and his gang, the one that has helped the president of the National assembly continue his mandate despite the fact that it expired nearly a year ago? Calling the military to respect the constitutional order is ridiculous and, at best, a sign of poor judgment. For regional and international institutions to enforce respect for the constitutions in Africa, they will have to do better than just condemn military coups. They should make sure that these constitutions are secured from manipulations by power holders; that elected officials are accountable and people-driven. Heads of states in Africa should lead by the principles of democratic governance and the rule of law rather than service their own self-centered interests.
Khaita Sylla
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Salut. Félicitation pour votre blog. En plus votre article est excellent. Très pertinent. Je pense que nos chers journalistes feraient mieux de s'inspirer de vous pour nous pondre des trucs consommables.
ReplyDeleteBonne continuation
This is absolutely pertinent. You are so right about how our leaders are dilapidading African resources and the double-standards that the UN in particular AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY at large seem to be holding towards democracies and how they are being handled in Afria.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of guinea, a military coup has served as a liberation from a leader who basically hijacked his country's constitution and manipulated it for his own use at the expense of his constituents. So the comdamnability of a coup is almost inapplicable in this case, so long as the perpetrators come through with their promises and actually work for the benefit of their country.
I wholeheartedly adhere to the principle of removing incompetent leaders who violate human rights and disregards their people's basic constitutional rights by any means necessary. We should also keep in mind regarding the international commnunity and the UN that they do not always have the best interest of African countries in heart. The instances of some negative aspects of globalisation attest to that. But this is another story.
What is important is for Africans to take their responsibilities and work towards the economic and political reconstruction of the continent. We need to roll up our sleeves, put personal interests aside and get to work.
Awesome blog my friend!
Anta Hane
Issues of constitutionalism go beyond the nation state as it stands in most countries. They tend to touch on identities, rights, free speech of persons. And usually these rights contend daily with the highandedness of most African regimes especially characterised by Conte's situation and constantly depicted throughout time and across the African continent. Yet a dichotomy exists in and of itself such that this happens within the same nation state evidently given off an odor of incivility and the absence of the rule of law. And our people will embrace whatever is thrown at them including a military rule after decade long repressive regimes. So, until, rights, identities, respect for rule of law become visible characters of civil society and our citizens at large, and until they remain strong and constantly 'fight' in the face of 'undemocratic democratic' rule, we will continue still to see the popping up of military rules across the continent like ugly mushrooms on forest beds.
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