On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu denounced the recent wave of military coups in Africa, calling them wrong and unrepresentative of the aspirations of all Africans.
The prevalence of coups, according to him, indicates “a demand for solutions to perennial problems,” not that Africa is in favour of an illegitimate change in the status quo.
This was expressed by Tinubu in his first speech to his colleagues during a discussion at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
He said, “We must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.”
Military troops ousted the democratically-elected governments of Mohamed Bazzoum and Ali Bongo in Niger and Gabon, respectively, in 2023.
With 24 successful military coups worldwide, Africa has had 107 since 1950, a lion’s share.
“The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups,” the leader of Nigeria claimed. There is a need for solutions to enduring issues.
In regards to Niger, Tinubu made a request for assistance from ally nations while reiterating that the Economic Community of West African States is still in talks with the junta.
“As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to assist in the re-establishment of democratic governance in a way that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to sow unrest in our region,” he stated.
“To anyone who sincerely support this objective, I extend a hand of friendship,” he added.
The President bemoaned that the protracted fight against violent extremists has led to “a dark channel of inhumane commerce.”
He said “along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women and children are seen as chattel.
“Yet, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life.
“At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.”
Tinubu argued that the harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region.
Consequently “African nations will improve our economies so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations.
“We also shall devote ourselves to disbanding extremist groups on our turf.”
However, he called on the international community to strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa.
Speaking on mineral resources in Africa, Tinubu warned that the continued looting of Africa’s mineral resources threatens peace and places national security.
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