Another former French African colony – Gabon – has overthrown its civilian government. Is Ecowas still considering military force in Niger? Or it is taking a reflection from the former French colonies in Africa.
There is nothing wrong when members of the African Union look out for their own, but they must appreciate the undemocratic governance in some member countries.
With all these coups, how do they measure their peer review mechanisms? What are their stands when colleagues who change their constitutions to seek third and fourth terms amongst others? Some hand over power to their children and to their children’s children.
Dialogue and negotiation are key, but until we deal with external influence in Africa, some countries can never be stable. France does not care about who takes over, as long as they have their interests protected.
Niger has taken on France, and has sacked the French Ambassador, and has placed its destiny into its own hands.
The AU should remember the words of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the eve of the independence of Ghana:; “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.” Can the AU answer honestly whether the continent is liberated?
In recent times, it has been Guinea, Mali, Burkina, Niger and now Gabon. Others are living under some crazy dictators !!!
The AU must take a stand that benefits citizens of its member countries, and not of the Presidents. The rate at which Africans are daring to cross the Mediterranean sea for a better life should speak volumes to us.
I have spoken against the military deployment to Niger, and I beg to say, “our military has better things to do.”
I hope the Central Africans will handle the Gabon issue better than we are doing in West Africa.
Let us get to the roots of the problems of governance in Niger and think of how to use our military wisely, as we pray and work hard for better days ahead
*Kun Fa Yakun*
