Coup in Africa worrisome – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday expressed concerns that resurgence of coup in Africa is worrisome.

Atiku in a statement condemned the military coup in Gabon on Wednesday. He asserted that democracy and democratic governance have come to stay as a preferred form of government, and everything should be done to enthrone, nurture, and sustain it.

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Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, said that ECOWAS and African Union authorities should open a window of diplomatic engagement that will pave the way for the soldiers to return to the barracks.

He noted that the coup in Gabon brings the number of military takeovers in Central and West Africa to 8 since 2020.

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“This is worrisome and calls for introspection. We may have to focus on dealing with the disease and not the symptoms that birth coups,”Atiku declared.

Atiku’s full statement reads:

Atiku Abubakar
@atiku

The coup in Gabon stands condemned. Democracy and democratic governance have come to stay as a preferred form of government, and everything should be done to enthrone, nurture, and sustain it. As I suggested in the case of the Niger Republic, the ECOWAS and African Union authorities should open a window of diplomatic engagement that will pave the way for the soldiers to return to the barracks. The latest coup brings the number of military takeovers in Central and West Africa to 8 since 2020. This is worrisome and calls for introspection. We may have to focus on dealing with the disease and not the symptoms that birth coups. -AA

The military coup in Gabon on Wednesday occurred while ECOWAS leaders are still contending with the coup in Niger Republic that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.