In response to the recent uptick in military takeovers in Africa, Ambassador John Metchie, the African Director of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), stated that the organization’s top priority is the safety, welfare, and peace of the continent’s common people.
In order to prevent wars and other social crises from further impoverishing the people who, in his words, are already suffering from hunger, disease, a lack of access to quality education and Medicare, as well as unemployment and other social denials, the IAWPA African Director pleaded with African leaders.
A massive wave of coups has recently occurred in many African countries, with the most recent one taking place in Gabon, when President Ali Bongo was ousted from power by military officials who also imprisoned him, his wife, and his son.
In the past, coup plotters have overthrown democratically elected governments in Chad, Sudan, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic.
France, the United States, and other western nations expressed their outrage at the coups and warned the various juntas to step down and restore democratically elected governments, but their appeals and threats went unheeded as the military governments tightened their hold on power.
There are rumours that Russia and some of its allies are supporting the military brats in Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic and have pledged to defend them in the event that ECOWAS forces or other governments try to forcibly remove them. This development has alarmed the local populace as well as that of the neighbouring countries, who fear the outbreak of internal unrest and even war.
But Dr Metchie, who is also the Deputy Commander General of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), in charge of Technical Service, responded to the development in a statement on Friday that he personally signed, saying that it had taken him this long to respond to the violent overthrow of civilian presidents in many countries, owing to the complexity of the development, particularly in the west and central African sub-regions.
He added that the gladiators must be made to avoid causing social upheavals that would inflame the continent and consume the population, especially children, women, and the vulnerable, adding that it was becoming more and more obvious by the day that there appeared to be a deliberate plan by some military and political forces from within and outside the continent to trigger a realignment of governance order in Africa.
In order to find lasting, peaceful solutions that would prevent destructions, Metchie urged the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and other regional blocs on the continent to convene urgent meetings where the pressing issues could be discussed.
He listed a number of the causes of the political instability roiling the continent, including poor governance, injustice, corruption, and sit-tight leaders’ refusal to step down when required. He insisted that Africa must return to the period of true democracy, where leaders are chosen through fair elections, accountability, justice, transparency, and selfless service to the people.
“I want to address the current developments in West Africa, Central Africa, and other parts of the continent where there have been incidents of forced takeover of governments by the military of the various countries with great concern and pain in my heart, on behalf of IAWPA,” he added.
“Among the nations at dispute are Sudan, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Niger Republic, and most recently, Gabon. My main worry in each of these situations is for the safety, health, and tranquilly of the local residents who are undoubtedly terrified and in a panic, not knowing what will happen to them next.
“African leaders should be primarily concerned with the welfare of the people above the antics of local politicians and their foreign backers and accomplices.
It has now become clear, or at least it appears to be clear, that this entire pursuit game is a planned plot by some military and political forces from both inside and beyond the continent to bring about a realignment of the governing system in Africa. Even if we are unable to provide an immediate solution, the gladiators on either side of the chasms must be trained to refrain from inciting social crises and upheavals that would inflame the continent, exacerbate its terrible predicament, and devour its people, particularly its children, women, and the weak.
“Political chase players vying for Africa’s soul should understand that the continent’s inhabitants are already weary from the heavy burden and yoke they bear as they battle all manner of depravity, including but not limited to poverty, diseases, a lack of water, toiletries, shelter, and decent clothing.
“If the west, Europe, Asia, and others cannot help alleviate the sufferings of the African people, they should also not compound or add to the misery of the African people through political adventures or instigate crisis in order to sell or test new weapons of war as that would only worsen the already miserable condition of Africans,” said Metchie, urging African leaders to rise to the occasion by finding local solutions in order to nip the situation in the bud before the worst occurs.
“On this point, I urge well-meaning Africans to convene meetings as soon as possible to discuss the problems that led to these coups, notably the committee of elders, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other regional blocs.
In order to gain the trust of the people they rule, Metchie added, “African leaders need also start purging themselves of leadership of impunity, selfishness, indifference to the suffering of the people, corruption, and injustice, among such other adult delinquencies.
