Halting coups in West African countries

October 2, 2023

The primary function of the military all over the world is to protect lives and properties. The only means for military personnel to gain political power is through coups and that is what some West African countries are currently experiencing.

Nigerians still remember the coup that took place in Nigeria on December 31,1983 as a result of the alleged poor performance of the democratic administration led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari. The entire 19 states that Nigeria had then were ruled by military administrators. Recently, Niger’s president, Mohammed Bazoum, was overthrown by the country’s military.

The president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, was also dethroned by the military. That scenario is a signal to the presidents of some African countries; the military have been agonizing over so many security problems.

In many African countries, the money allocated for the procurement of the arms and ammunitionis shared among politicians for the purchase of exotic cars and property. Serving military personnel in these countries are complaining about their poor remuneration package and other basic needsbut the affected governments do not listen to their plight. The rise of military juntas in West African countries can be halted when the democratic system functions well. If everything is working well in all sectors as it ought to be, there would be no wrong signals from the military camps. Soldiers would not plot any coup against civilian governments.

Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. But this is not reflected in what people are experiencing in many African countries. For democracy to thrive, the people in authority should have an altruistic mentality; they should not be self-centered. The systemic error in all sectors should be totally corrected .

West African leaders are expected to put round pegs in round holes if they actually want democratic rule to stand forever in their respective countries. I, therefore, implore them to govern in accordance with constitutional rule in their various countries.