Coup: Focus On Disease That Births Coups, Not Symptoms – Atiku To African Leaders

• Atiku Abubakar condemns the recent coup in Gabon and calls for a focus on addressing the root causes of coups in Africa
• He suggests diplomatic engagement by ECOWAS and the African Union to encourage soldiers to return to the barracks

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged African leaders to focus on the root causes of the continent’s recent surge in coups rather than the symptoms.

On Thursday, Atiku stated this in a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) in response to the recent coup in Gabon, the eighth in Africa since 2020.

He condemned the coup in the Central African country, adding that everything should be done to maintain democracy on the continent.

The coup in Gabon stands condemned. Democracy and democratic governance have come to stay as a preferred form of governance, and everything should be done to enthrone, nurture, and sustain it.

As I suggested in the case of the Niger Republic, the ECOWAS and African Union authorities should open a window of diplomatic engagement that will pave the way for the soldiers to return to the barracks.

The latest coup brings the number of military takeovers in Central and West Africa to 8 since 2020. This is worrisome and calls for introspection.

We may have to focus on dealing with the disease and not the symptoms that birth coups, he wrote.

A military coup erupted in Gabon on Wednesday, deposing the president, whose family had held power for more than a half-century, just days after he was declared the winner of a contested election.

Since taking over the oil-rich nation nearly 14 years ago, the ousted President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, also known as Ali Bongo, has been accused of election fraud and corruption.

Following the coup, residents in the country’s capital were seen on the streets celebrating and embracing soldiers.

However, much remains unknown, with Bongo reportedly under house arrest, his son arrested, all borders closed, and the government ostensibly closed.

International leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have expressed their concern and condemnation of the coup, with some advising their citizens in Gabon to take cover.