Will AU address rising trend of military, constitutional coups?

In 2000, under the Lomé  declaration, the then Organisation for African Unity (OAU), thereafter the African Union (AU) banned military coup d’états though it covertly or inertly enshrined constitutional coups. Before long, there took place coups in Niger ( February 18, 2010), Zimbabwe (November 21, 2017), Sudan (April 11, 2019), Mali (August 19, 2020 and May 24, 2021), Chad’s covert coup (April 20, 2021) and recently in Guinea (September 5, 2021). What does this speak to about Africa’s future as far as power dynamics is concerned? What does this say about rulers who amend their constitution–––after losing believability and certainty in their constituency and electorate to remain in power or those that have been in power for a long time, which in this case is over ten years as Western democracy sanctions?

Power lust’s a common human behaviour though not for all. We all need some sort of power to juggle the maze of life. I need more power so that I can lord it over my wife in some matters. My employee needs some in order to gain hugely from me. However, not all of us crave presidency. Notably, recent coup in Guinea speaks to something distinct that those who cling to powers should get prepared to lose them. My philosophy warns me that he who seeks power will lose it. I don’t know what Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister will say after his protégé, alpha Conde has been overthrown.

If you examine the coups above, they all share one hallmark in that they toppled long time dictators either those that have been in power for a long or short time after abusing their constitutions, institutions or systems. Normally, such rules create toxic environment that either force the mass to topple them or the armies after citizens are unable to do, which military took it as an opportunity to re-enact the same. In Zimbabwe–––for instance–––Robert Mugabe had been in power for 37 years; in Sudan, Omar Bashir (36); in Chad, Idriss Deby (22) while, in Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta’s unlucky since he’s toppled in his second term in office. Generally, the trajectory shows that coups are increasing in Africa due to the increase of bad government, corruption, dictatorships, injustices, poverty, and above all power lust. What those responsible fail to underscore is the fact that the lust for power create rust and toxicity for the regimes so as to make many mistakes any military opportunists can seize and topple them. Those who remember the suffering from coups for Africa, they’ll agree with us that this isn’t a good thing for the continent.

As for the recent coup in Guinea whereby Mamady Doubouya (41), unseated president Conde (83) who clung to power after tempering with the constitution and successfully ran for a third time he didn’t finish. His fate is the as that of Mamadou Tandja in Niger who also was pulled down in his third term. Ironically, Conde’s the first democratically elected president of Guinea who pointlessly turned himself into a tyrant for the lust of power. Thus, when he’s overthrown, there were jubilations in Conakry’s streets. For the victims of Conde’s power lust, his disposal was but a gift from God. This speaks to the blood of innocent people that’s shed in his lust for power. Thus, pent-up angers forced the people to cheer the junta without knowing that they’re cheering one evil and jeering another. They’re dancing with the devil if we remember what the likes have done even after being welcomed with jubilant but desperate masses.

Again, if you look at the nature of the rules that were pulled down by their armies, you find a telling fact that most of them clung unto power after misruling their countries so as to create kerbed anger against them. Also, this speaks that everything that’s the beginning must have the end. Similarly, the politics has changed in this internet age. The current generation is piqued. Those who succeeded to lord it over it by keeping a lid on it, will soon lose it. You can take this to any bank.

Considering the blunders those toppled rules above committed, I’m quite sure sitting dictators are now shivering not knowing if they’ll make out not to mention how and when their autocratic rules will be pulled out. Surely, strongmen–––not women–––in Cameroon, CAR, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda, among others are likely to be quaking as they worry about their vulnerable regimes not to mention their nether world. And this is obvious. All those that have been in power for decades and those who have tampered with the constitution to remain in power undemocratically and unconstitutionally must get prepared. This is obvious. There’s no way one can remain in power let say for over ten years and be loved or do so legally. Only kings and theocrats can do so since they confiscate all powers from the citizens and their institutions. Even for the kings, their houses of cards are now visibly shaking if we remember what transpired recently in Eswatini where King Mswati narrowly survived the rage of his people who accused him of living opulent life with his families and royal members while the majority of Emaswati live in object manmade penury.

In sum, Africa should brace itself for more to come. Corrupt and tired regimes should get prepared for whatever is to come or just democratically and peacefully relinquish power. As for the AU, where does it practically stand in this matter. Its rhetoric’s hadn’t proved to be effective. It is time for it to act decisively by seeing to it that coups be they military or constitutional are thwarted. When’ll coups end in Africa? Will the AU address both trends, namely military and constitutional coups?

Source: Daily Monitor today.