President Bola Tinubu has called on African leaders to respect democracy, the rule of law and ensure political stability.
Tinubu made the remarks during a high-level event organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the margins of the Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.
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The President, who left Abuja this afternoon for the Kenyan city, urged African military institutions and states to recognise and respect the need for democratic renewal.
Aside from being the president of one of Africa’s powerhouse, Tinubu is also the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. He said coups d’état should be discouraged in the continent, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.
“This ugly trend has only succeeded in threatening the peace, security and stability of the sub-region and by extension the African continent, leaving in its trail poverty, internally-displaced persons and humanitarian crisis,” he said.
Tinubu warned that the ugly trend of the military straying into the political arena is causing threats to peace, security and stability as well as engendering poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
He called on all African leaders at all levels to make concerted efforts in respecting the tenets of democracy and the rule of law in order to ensure political stability on the continent.
Tinubu also reiterated that democracy is the best form of government for 21st-century Africa and urged the United Nations to take a firm stance against military coups.
“It is my view that while grappling with the challenges caused by the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geostrategic tragedies, including insecurity and climate change amongst others, African leaders must disincentivise coups d’état,” he said.
“The United Nations must also stand firm and unyielding in its opposition to military coups.”
Tinubu expressed his readiness to work with the UNDP and other development partners to advance the cause of democracy on the African continent.
He commended the UNDP for launching its flagship report, “Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa,” stating that the military has no place in the governance of the 21st Century Africa.
Jide Okeke, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), said his organisation invited the Nigerian leader after his inspiring message denouncing military coups during his inauguration as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 9.
He expressed delight that President Tinubu’s presence and participation in the UN high-level event demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability, reasserting Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and the global community.
“The President’s message sends a positive signal to the international community about Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability,” Okeke said.
On the UNDP flagship report, the African Regional Coordinator said it is timely in advancing Nigeria’s vision of stability for West Africa and the continent.
He explained that the report combines empirical data, literature, and personal stories from citizens who have lived through coups, contrasting their experiences with those in countries transitioning to democracy.