Miffed by the incessant change of government through unconstitutional means and its attendant human rights abuses, the West African Bar Association (WABA), has called on the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to stem the tide of the perennial coup d’etat in West African sub-region.
According to the group, the failed coup attempt in Guinea Bissau is a clear warning that the sub-region is faced with imminent danger and ECOWAS and Presidents of Member States must come up with a roadmap of actions to nip this retrogressive phenomenon in the bud.
Programs Director, West African Bar Association, Ms. Obiageli Oraka-Oifoghe made this call at the just concluded 2022 First Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
In a paper titled, “Unconstitutional change of government in West Africa, and Implications for Human Rights of Citizens,” WABA also pledges to work with ECOWAS Parliament, ECOWAS Political Affairs and ECOWAS Legal Division in technical capacities and diplomatic engagements to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Ms. Oifoghe said the past 22 months have been turbulent for democracy in West Africa.
According to her, “Military leaders have toppled the governments of Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
A similar attempt to overturn the democratic government in Guinea Bissau was averted. These nations are all members of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (the ECOWAS Protocol) created an accountability framework for governance. It aims to ensure free, fair, and credible elections as the basis for legitimate government.
The Protocol requires state parties to strengthen democratic institutions, the rule of law, human and peoples’ rights, and independent electoral systems.
In addition to this, the Protocol proposes developing a constitutional state based on the rule of law and common principles of good governance”.
She said that despite the broad objectives that signatories to this framework have accented to, ECOWAS States continue to grapple with incidences of illegitimate governments via coup de tat.
“ECOWAS, concerned about the resurgence of military regimes in the region, suspended these member states and also imposed sanctions in a bid to contain this trend.
This is a dangerous trend in West Africa because most states in West Africa a grappling with similar geopolitical issues such as bad governance, political tensions, public discontentment, religious and ethnic conflicts, poverty, minority agitations and armed militia”, she further observed.
She said the human rights implications for citizens under Junta regimes are unpalatable and the economic sanctions from regional bodies have also occasioned great hardships for the already impoverished regions.
Ms. Oifoghe concluded that unconstitutional change of governments is unacceptable and must be quelled by all means.
, has called on the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to stem the tide of the perennial coup d’etat in West African sub-region.){kind=link}