Why coups are endemic in West Africa – ECOWAS

• Musah said deficit in governance has contributed to rise coups in the subregion
• He added that there have been seven coups in the region within a three-year span

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says military seizure of power from democratically elected government has become prevalent in West Africa because politicians are not fulfilling their promises of good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, made this known when he appeared on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Friday

Musah said deficit in governance has contributed to rise coups in the subregion, adding that there have been seven coups in the region within a three-year span.

The international politics expert said democracy as a system of government should not be blamed for the military takeovers in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, but that attention should be shifted to deficiency in governance in these countries.

He added that terrorism also played prominent role in these coups as three of the four West African countries now under military regime have for years on end been battling with terrorism.

“All these coup dé’tats, except perhaps in Guinea, have taken place in the context of a symmetric conflict that is characterised by terrorism,” he said.

“Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are the three Sahelian countries in West Africa most impacted by terrorism, so there is no coincidence that the coups are occurring in these countries.

“If it is terrorism, the military’s first duty is to confront terrorism. That is the question.

“It is not a question of democracy. We know that there are governance deficits in the region but is that the best way? It is about governance deficit and not democracy as a system of governance.

“Governance is broader, it is about economic development, youth empowerment, it is about building infrastructure for people to realise their potential.

“And that is very difficult in the global environment that we find ourselves in today.

“And it is not only in Africa, it is global. But you’re not seeing coups everywhere. Why in West Africa? Are we saying West Africa is the worst region in Africa?”