Former President Koroma reveals reason why military coups are on the rise in Africa
At a recent meeting with Vice President Mutale Nalumango in Lusaka, Zambia, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma expressed concern about the wave of military coups on the African continent.
Dr. Koroma stressed the urgent need to investigate and understand the underlying causes of these military interventions. He Koroma said the increase in military coups could be attributed to the failure of democratic institutions and democratically elected leaders to adequately respond to the needs of their citizens.
The former president emphasized that a thorough understanding of these root causes would facilitate the efforts of democratically elected leaders to work more effectively on behalf of their constituents. Despite significant progress in promoting democracy in Africa, Dr. Koroma said the frequency of military coups was hindering progress. He stressed the importance of respecting democratic principles and institutions.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango echoed Dr. Koroma and particularly highlighted the alarming frequency of military coups in West Africa.
He describes these events as a source of shame and emphasizes the need to fight for stability in a democratic framework across the continent.
Ms. Nalumango demanded Dr. Koroma use his influence to inspire younger generations to have confidence in the democratic process, stressing the importance of cultivating democratic values among young Africans.
The discussion between the two leaders highlighted their shared commitment to addressing the challenges of military coups and promoting democracy in Africa.
Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma's recent meeting with Vice President Mutale Nalumango in Lusaka, Zambia, focused on the growing issue of military coups in Africa and the underlying reasons behind them. Here's an elaboration on the key points raised during their discussion:
Concern Over Surge in Military Coups: Koroma expressed his deep concern about the increasing number of military coups happening across the African continent. Military coups involve the overthrow of democratically elected governments by the military, often leading to instability and uncertainty.
Root Causes of Military Coups: According to Koroma, one of the primary reasons for the surge in military coups is the failure of democratic institutions and democratically elected leaders to effectively address the needs and concerns of their populations. This failure creates a sense of frustration and disillusionment among citizens, making them more susceptible to military interventions.
Understanding Root Causes: Koroma emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding these root causes. By doing so, democratically elected leaders and institutions can better identify and address the issues that lead to instability and coups. This understanding is crucial for devising effective solutions.
Hindrance to Progress: Despite significant progress made in promoting democracy in Africa, Koroma noted that the prevalence of military coups continues to hinder the continent's progress. These coups disrupt governance and economic development, undermining efforts to improve the quality of life for African citizens.
Upholding Democratic Principles and Institutions: Both Koroma and Vice President Nalumango stressed the importance of upholding democratic principles and institutions. Democracy is considered a cornerstone of stability and progress, and its erosion through military coups threatens the continent's future.
Focus on West Africa: Vice President Nalumango pointed out the alarming frequency of military coups in West Africa, making it a particular concern for the region. West Africa has experienced a number of coups and political instability in recent years, posing significant challenges to regional stability and development.
Inspiring the Youth: Nalumango called upon Koroma to use his influence to inspire the younger generation to have faith in the democratic process. She emphasized the importance of nurturing democratic values among Africa's youth, as they are the future leaders and key agents for sustaining democratic governance.
Shared Commitment to Address Challenges: The discussion between Koroma and Nalumango highlighted their shared commitment to addressing the challenges posed by military coups and promoting democracy in Africa. This commitment includes working towards strengthening democratic institutions, improving governance, and addressing the root causes of instability.
In summary, the meeting between Ernest Bai Koroma and Mutale Nalumango underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of military coups in Africa and strengthen democratic governance across the continent. Both leaders recognize the importance of democracy in achieving stability, development, and a brighter future for Africa.
On another news:
President Bio accuses the US of pressuring him to interfere in the June elections.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio accused the United States on Friday of pressuring him to interfere in his country's June 24 election count. This statement stands in stark contrast to Washington's previous concerns about the integrity of the investigation. “When the election reached its climax – the announcement of the results – the problems began,” President Bio said during a speech at the American University in Washington.
The Sierra Leone Electoral Commission (ECSL), he said, "has done all the calculations, the tables, all the processes." The United States has now asked me to stop them from announcing the result. So I don't know who is accusing whom of interfering."
Bio, 59, was re-elected in a controversial vote that drew criticism from both the opposition and international observers.
In a joint statement released after the election, delegations from the United States, the European Union, France, Ireland and Germany said they shared the concerns of national and international observers "about the lack of transparency in the tabulation process." Before the election, some believed that rapidly rising inflation and the country's deep economic difficulties would give the opposition an opportunity. Bio won with 56.17% of the vote, just above the 55% needed to avoid a runoff.On August 31, the State Department announced visa restrictions on individuals “suspected of being responsible or complicit in undermining democracy in Sierra Leone,” including through voter fraud or intimidation of election observers.
The names of the targets were not published and visa decisions are confidential under US law.
“Elections are always a controversial issue no matter where in the world they take place, including in the United States,” Bio said during an event at his alma mater, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees after moving to the United States earned presidential election. After the military junta gave him power, he briefly led a democratically elected government in the 1990s.
If “the United States questions the credibility (of the elections), a coup is necessary,” Bio said.
“The American representatives themselves told us that in any case they only wanted a second round. In any case, I would have won because all the polls clearly showed that I would win.
Sierra Leone's Information Minister Chernor Bah told AFP that "I cannot comment on the American motivation" behind the alleged request for Bio to interfere in the ECSL announcement. Bio said
Freetown still has a “great relationship” with Washington and hopes to maintain it.
Sierra Leone's President, Julius Maada Bio, accusing the United States of pressuring him to interfere in his country's June 24 election count, reveals a complex and contentious situation. Here is an elaboration on the key points and implications of this statement:
Accusation of U.S. Pressure: President Bio's accusation that the United States pressured him to interfere in the election count is a significant and potentially controversial claim. It suggests a disagreement or misunderstanding between the Sierra Leonean government and the U.S. government regarding the handling of the election results.
Timing of Alleged Pressure: President Bio indicated that the U.S. request to stop the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) from calling the result occurred during the height of the election when results were being tallied. This timing is crucial as it implies that the alleged pressure was a last-minute intervention.
Disputed Reelection: President Bio was reelected in a disputed vote that faced criticism from both the opposition and international observers. The joint statement from delegations of several countries, including the United States, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the tabulation process. This context adds weight to President Bio's accusations.
Visa Restrictions: The U.S. State Department's announcement of visa restrictions on individuals believed to be responsible for undermining democracy in Sierra Leone, including through vote rigging or intimidation of election observers, underscores the international community's concerns about the election's integrity.
Credibility and Democracy: President Bio's remark that when the United States doubts the credibility of the election, it may be perceived as calling for a coup highlights the delicate balance between expressing legitimate concerns about election fairness and avoiding destabilization or political unrest in a country.
Maintaining the U.S.-Sierra Leone Relationship: Despite the allegations, President Bio emphasized that Sierra Leone maintains a "great relationship" with Washington and looks forward to maintaining it. This indicates an effort to minimize any potential diplomatic fallout from his accusations.
Need for Transparency and Accountability: The situation in Sierra Leone underscores the importance of transparent and accountable electoral processes. Both the allegations of external pressure and concerns about the election's transparency should prompt a thorough investigation and a commitment to upholding democratic principles.
President Bio's accusation of U.S. pressure in the context of Sierra Leone's disputed election raises significant questions about the election's integrity, international involvement, and the need for transparent and accountable electoral processes. It is a situation that warrants further investigation and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and democratic governance in Sierra Leone.