With the advent of independence in the late 50's and early 60's,new hope swept through Africa as nation after nation attained self-government. There were new dreams and expectations as the colonial masters packed their bags and handed over the instruments of power to the indigenous peoples.
To most Africans this was the end of a long freedom struggle in which so many
had suffered. It was the end of slavery, human degradation and exploitation.
Unfortunately these dreams were soon shattered as government after government fell victim to the coup d'etat across the continent.
Military coups in Africa used to be prevalent in the early days of African independence – from Col. Jean-Bedel Bokassa in Central African Republic in 1965 to Maj-gen Aguyi ironsi of Nigeria in 1966 to Sergeant Idi Amin in Uganda in 1971 to Sergeant Samuel Doe in Liberia in 1980 to Maj. Daouda Mallam Wanke in Niger in 1999 etc. Although Military coups are not limited to African countries alone, but an impressive 85 coups in Africa alone in the space of less than 60 years is enough to tag "coups" as a political ideology in Africa.
Why do we have military coups in Africa? The military will be fast to suggest to the "incompetence of the civilian government to rule and maintain law and order" but do they tell the world their other ambitions and the burning desire by some of the Power-thirsty generals among them to acquire political power? The answer is No. The military will always come under this umbrella and promise to handover political power at a given date, but history has shown us how power-thirsty these generals are and how they don't always fulfil their promises of handing over to civilian rule soon as they claim.
The military rulers accuse the civilian government of everything from corruption and incompetence to mismanagement of the national economy as the reason for coups, but history of coups in Africa has shown that the military are no better than civilians when it comes to running governments. Rather than solve African contemporary political and socio-economic problems, military coups d'etat in Africa have tended to drive the continent into even further suffering and turmoil. Nigeria is a very good example.
The coup plotters in Mali under the umbrella of "The National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy solemnly swears to return power to a democratically elected president as soon as national unity and territorial integrity are established," But how soon is that going to be really?
Why should a military coup happen in Mali in the first place? Its only weeks from national polls which will see fresh elections held in Mali and President Toure make way for an elected successor after two terms in power. Why can't the military in Mali wait for fresh polls to be conducted in Mali and see how capable the new leader is in tackling the insurgency in the north of the country. Of course they are power thirsty, backward people living in the past.
Mali was considered one of the few functioning democracies in West Africa and Africa as a whole before the coup, but sadly last week's coup represents a major setback for the nation of 15.4 million. Although former president, Mr Toure initially took power in a 1991 coup, he became known as the "Soldier of Democracy" because he handed power to civilians, and retreated from public life. Years later he re-emerged to win the 2002 election and was re-elected in 2007.
Democracy is the way forward, It should be the model for all African countries to follow. It's 2012 not 1966, African countries should be working towards improving democracy and developing their country. The African Union and Ecowas must do everything possible to ensure that democratic rule is restored in Mali.
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Who can advise us? The military are incompetent and are not better than the corrupt civilians, according to this writer, but our politicians are bad beyond human comprehension. They steal with apparent impunity while the average innocent man suffers. What is the way forward?
ReplyDeleteGhana get to where they are today by military intervention, unfortunately Nigerian shy away from the fact that will need a God sent military man to sanitizes Nigeria first before Democracy will follow. if we have a good person as the president how does he pass through the evil lower house & the senate. I pray God should put the spirit of Tunde idiagbon in another solder & give the power to him before the end of this year
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong in military government if they can run affairs of nation with human kindness. They are far better than ''legalised armed robbers'' we call politicians that spend #0.931 million each for breakfast. Wake up Africa or legalise possession of arms to everyone in Nigeria and watch if sanity would not prevail.
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDeleteWhen I remeber the days of Military regime in Nigeria, I shiver. \let us not forget that it is the same military soldiers who are retired are the corrupt politicians we have today in Nigeria. What we need in Nigeria is a true leader who understands the people.
ReplyDeleteWhy all these "anonymous" ? Commentators should at least use some initials so they can be referred to, instead of these "anonymous" thing. You all, the Anonymousis, have spoken well. There is nothing wrong in having a Military leader in a country so long as he has a human head. Such leadership will be 100 times better than the very corrupt civil leaders we have in our so-called democracies. The military takes fast and decisive decisions often without setting up committees, panels that end up achieving nothing even after wasting funds on them. The coup in Mali is simply sending fears into our corrupt politicians spines who fear similar fate, they thought the days of coups are gone and continue to carry out their loot of public wealth. I pray for a coup in Naija, only that a purposeful man should come on stage.
ReplyDeletewhich of the reasons given by the coupists for the overthrow of regimes in any part of Africa is most convincing?
ReplyDelete