Director of Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Professor Kwesi Aning, has disclosed that Guineans have “failed themselves”.
According to him, the lack of action by the ECOWAS and AU, has resulted in the loss of respect for these institutions.
“The Guineans have failed themselves and the international community has failed the people of Guinea”.
Professor Kwesi Aning,
Prof Aning explained that with Guinea being a signatory to ECOWAS instrument and African Union instrument, one would have expected them to be sanctioned after flouting the protocols.
“…that these two multilateral agencies which Guinea is a member would automatically trigger some response mechanisms incrementally so that the regime in Conakry is aware that its actions are not tolerable”
“But because failure or unwillingness to apply the structures within these conventions have become the norm, rather than the exception, everyone flouts these rules with respect to the rule of law, human rights, democratic transitions, changes in constitution and extension of term limits; because both the AU and ECOWAS protocols and conventions are very clear”.
Professor Kwesi Aning,
On his part ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that international communities including ECOWAS are responsible for the military takeover in Guinea.
He explained that these communities failed to raise alarm when about 13 countries including Guinea amended their constitutions to extend the term limits for Presidents.
Democratization wave in Africa
Mr Ablakwa noted that the ECOWAS and AU, were silent when President Alpha Conde through the amendment of the constitution tried to make himself president at the age of 83.
“Since the 1990s democratization wave, after it was clear that the African people have had enough of the coups from the first coup that happened in Ghana… the 1990s ushered in a new era. According to the African Centre for Strategic Studies, there were about 50 constitutions that were drafted in the 1990s. Thirty of them had term limits.
“It will surprise you to note that only from 2015, over the last six years alone, not fewer than 13 countries have amended their constitution to extend the term. The sad thing about Guinea is, he (Alpha Conde) was preparing to even run for a fourth term. He wanted to make himself President at 83 years. What he did was to say this is a new constitution. So, it doesn’t matter what has happened, my two terms will not count. So, this will be my first term, I’m starting afresh and he would have gone again. I mean holding the Guinea people to ransom.
“What is the AU saying about it? Nothing. What is ECOWAS saying about this? Most of them are West African countries”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Coup in African Countries
The North Tongu legislator further revealed that the goings-on in Guinea is sad and in no way does he endorse coup d’etats.
Additionally, he indicated that coups take us back and they must not have a place in any “democratic construction”.
“His (Alpha Conde’s) story is such a sad one because he would have emerged as one of the success stories of Africa because he is one of those few grand old men who have spent all their lives in the trenches. For more than 30 years he has been fighting for a democratic order. He has paid the price himself. He was sentenced to imprisonment for five years. He was only lucky to be pardoned.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Mr Ablakwa explained that, Alpha Conde should have expected his overthrow due to his recent actions that did not please many citizens in Guinea.
“One would have thought that with this rich history, where he can become an inspiration to a lot of opposition politicians and African democracy activists, he would have been a shining example.
“You (Alpha Conde) managed to secure a second term, that is enough. But instead of bowing out after your second term, you then amend the constitution, go for a referendum and that was a dubious referendum.
“This has been coming. You should have taken steps to avoid this. You have a situation where President Conde decided that he will totally abandon the constitution that brought him into power”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
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