President Bola Tinubu has urged African leaders to uphold democracy, respect the rule of law, and maintain political stability during a high-level event organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the margins of the Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting.
As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu emphasized the importance of discouraging coups d’état, particularly in light of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.
“Africa must address the root causes of unconstitutional changes and coups d’état,” President Tinubu stated. “The rise in military takeovers disrupts our democratic processes and undermines stability on the continent.”
Tinubu called on all African leaders to make concerted efforts in respecting democratic principles and the rule of law to ensure political stability. He also urged supranational organizations like the African Union and Regional Economic Communities to adopt Protocols on democracy and good governance and ensure their effective implementation.
Highlighting the advantages of democracy, the President asserted that it promotes good governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, making it the best form of government for 21st-century Africa.
The ECOWAS Chairperson stressed the need to discourage coups d’état and called on the United Nations to take a firm stance against military interventions. He acknowledged the interconnectedness of democracy and development in achieving sustainable goals and the African vision for peace, security, and economic growth.
In response to an invitation from the UNDP, Tinubu expressed his commitment to working with development partners to promote democracy in Africa. He thanked the UNDP for launching its flagship report “Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa,” stating that the military has no place in governing 21st-century Africa.
Jide Okeke, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), praised Tinubu’s denunciation of military coups and highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability.
He described the President’s message as a positive signal to the international community.
The UNDP flagship report combines empirical data, literature, and personal stories from citizens who have experienced coups, comparing their experiences with countries transitioning to democracy.
The event also featured remarks from Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambian Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Hanna Tetteh, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, and Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security at the African Union Commission.