Propose Solutions To End Coups – Akufo-Addo Charges ECOWAS Parliament
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to propose realistic proposals to help governments across the subregion deal with rampant coups d’états and insecurity.
According to the president, finding the root causes of military insurgencies will help the bloc control the recent security challenges that threaten the peaceful democracies within ECOWAS states.
“Brainstorming on all these major challenges that I have just outlined in the search for solutions to the political insecurity crisis facing our region is the imperative mission of this seminar. One of the expected outcomes is to help us understand even better the root causes of democratic regression and political instability in the region in order to better address them. This seminar, over the next three days, must propose measures to ensure the anchoring of democratic and republican values, both on the level of political elites and citizens of the community.”
“This will help preserve the peace and stability of the region. I can assure you that the authority of heads of state and governments of ECOWAS will be receptive to all your proposals and await them with great interest.”
He encouraged the ECOWAS Parliament to speak out against the extension of presidential term limits by certain leaders to strengthen their hold on power.
The president emphasized that such actions often lead to discontent among the population and create ideal conditions for military interventions to occur.
President Akufo-Addo further called for a commitment to guaranteeing the democratic integrity of member countries, where governance systems should be based on the separation of powers, devoid of corruption, and respect for the rule of law, individual liberties, human rights, democratic accountability, and social justice.
He urged the ECOWAS Parliament to remain steadfast in supporting democratic values based on the rule of law and human rights.
Additionally, he stressed the need to limit transition periods following coups, particularly in the Sahel region, where military leaders often hesitate to restore democratic rule.
He charged members of the ECOWAS Parliament to remain steadfast in their duty to guarantee the democratic integrity of their respective countries.
He was speaking at the 2nd ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar held in Winneba in the Central Region.