By Temple Okonji Esq.
Democracy
connotes rule through the Constitution and other recognized Legislative
Instruments. Globally, democracy has become acknowledged as the best system of
government since the Greek City years. And Africa as well as Africans, have
embraced democracy though with grave distortions to suit the whims and caprices
of the Elitist System.
In
the last twenty years, save for intermittent disruptions, the whole of Africa
has become “democratized". Although the systems in Africa are short of the
global standards and practices, they have however continued to evolve
positively and systemically.
For
days running, the Democratic Structures in the Niger Republic have been halted
following the incursion of the military in the system leading to the suspension
of all known democratic structures in that country. The successfully executed
coup has displaced, and replaced the elected system.
The
implications of this orgy challenge can be viewed on the dangers of
humanitarian crisis as well as heightened insecurities in the sub - region if
this dangerous trend is not halted, and possibly disabled.
The
puzzle remains how a successful coup could be measurably launched given the
presence of military bases of the United States of America and France in the
Niger Republic. This is most disturbing in view of the fact that these economic
and political super powers claim to be defenders and promoters of democracy
globally.
In
response to the unfolding unfortunate political drama, the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) after an Extra-Ordinary Session of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Sunday announced the imposition
of sanctions on Niger as well as the Coup Leaders. They also gave a seven-day ultimatum
to the military junta to release and reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum as the
legitimate Head
of State and Government of Niger Republic.
These
sanctions were imposed pursuant to Article 45 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy
and Good Governance and had equally been applied to the coup plotters in Mali,
Guinea and Burkina Faco.
In
the ensuing circumstances, the economy of the poor Country of the Niger
Republic would be castrated leading to obvious hunger, starvation, deprivation,
and other untoward calamities associated with such situations.
Another
frightening dimension could be a possible military action against the Coup
Leaders as well as the Country. Have the incubators of the idea of a military
action in the cursed circumstance pondered on the overall consequences of such
hasty decision on the sub - region, especially in considerations of the
security challenges in Nigeria, and other neighbouring Countries? The
challenges of the escalation of hostilities in the Country, obvious
displacement and humanitarian crisis, hunger and deaths, including economic
disasters, should be maximally weighed and weighted in whatever action(s) to be
taken to address the hydra - headed political quagmire in the Niger
Republic.
While
the quagmire endures, all humanitarian ideas should be concentrated on finding
a common place founded on reason, safety and security as well as the economic
prosperity of the Niger Republic.
Temple Okonji Esq. wrote from Abuja,
Nigeria.
Let Democracy be protected and preserved in Africa not minding the obvious provocative shortcomings in corruption and criminal enrichment of the elitist operators.
ReplyDeleteLet peace and reason, safety and security, and above everything else, the economic buoyancy and political stability, remain the guiding principles in all undertakings pertaining to the avoidable circumstances in the Niger Republic.
Overall, let Democracy and Africa prevail always!!!