Let us not rush to judgement about these unfolding military coup d'etats. Let us be discerning. For instance, the coup that took place in Gabon a few days ago looks more like a palace coup (a new wine in the same old bottle?) than the sort of coup that occurred earlier on in the Republic of Niger. Not every coup is necessarily motivated by a desire for a transformational change, a desire for a decisive and a people-oriented, African-interest-motivated change. Notice, for instance, that in one of their opening statements, the coupists in Gabon asserted their determination to uphold international agreements. Was that an oblique reference to France's neo-colonial ties with its African colonies? Time will tell.
Another point to consider is that under normal circumstances, a military coup is not a people-oriented means of changing governments. A free people should not be governed through the barrel of the gun. Sovereignty lies with the people.
A military coup is an aberration often provoked by the rascality, the insensitivity, the greedy rabid corruption, the self-centeredness, the illegitimacy of the ruling civilian regime, the disregard of the rule of law by the ruling class, etc. Military officers are not trained to govern; they are trained to kill a designated enemy force in defense of a country's territorial integrity.
Nigeria's experience with military governance is a mixed bag that is nothing to write home about. History also shows that a good number of past military coups in Africa were externally sponsored by self-interested geopolitical powers.
In the final analysis, and all things being equal, an effective democracy that is based on the true will of the people, truly free and fair elections, the rule of law, institutionally-oriented governance focused upon meeting the needs of the people and advancing the social development and transformation of the nation, and guided by the fear of God, is the right way to go. And it is the ultimate key to the full development of the human potentials of African peoples.
Are the bad governments running down their countries not well known?
Are those mere allegations?
What is to be done when some of these govts cannot be changed through elections?
What of when they cannot be changed through allegations, are problematic forms of govt and yet are putting in various degrees of effort to improve their nations?
Complexities--On Thu, 31 Aug 2023 at 07:08, Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM, CDOA <chidi.opara@gmail.com> wrote:Edward,Do we allow prostitutes to take over our conjugal spaces because our wives misbehave?We correct such wives or divorce and marry other wives if the misbehaving wives refuse to mend their bad ways.By the way, those allegations of misbehaviours are still allegations and must be proved beyond all reasonable doubts.This is the burden civilization imposes on us, otherwise, it would be back to primitivity in which persons were burnt to death, their property distroyed on mere allegations.-CAO.--On Thu, Aug 31, 2023, 3:56 AM Mensah, Edward K <dehasnem@uic.edu> wrote:Why is it unacceptable to overthrow, via a coup, a government that tramples on various aspects of a nation's constitution? Because an agreement has been signed to preserve a corrupt and incompetent government that neglects the needs of its citizens?
It is Bongo now. I pray that these changes do not result in violence that will destroy the country. But the changes are welcome. African governments must know that 'democracy ' will not save them if they continue to convert their countries into failed states.Kwaku
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM, CDOA <chidi.opara@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 3:48 PM
To: USA African Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: Military -seizes-power-in-gabon-after-bongos-vict"GREETINGS ALL,
QUESTION: IS THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT GOING TO FIGHT IN GABON TO BRING DEMOCRACY TO THE DEAD IN SUPPORT OF NATO?
KOFI"
Is Gabon a member of ECOWAS? Of course no.
Tinubu is doing what he is doing in Niger because that country is a member of ECOWAS and every ECOWAS member subscribed to the union's protocol against unconstitutional change of government and Tinubu happens to be the ECOWAS chair at this time.
-CAO.
--On Wed, Aug 30, 2023, 9:27 PM 'Dompere, Kofi Kissi' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
--GREETINGS ALL,
QUESTION: IS THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT GOING TO FIGHT IN GABON TO BRING DEMOCRACY TO THE DEAD IN SUPPORT OF NATO?
KOFI
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Toyin Falola
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 12:09 AM
To: dialogue <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Military -seizes-power-in-gabon-after-bongos-vict
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