Niger Coup: A Case of Pot Calling Kettle Black
By Usman M. Tokurah
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which is set up to foster the ideal collective self sufficiency for its member States has thrown many sanctions at Niger Republic and even threatened the use of ‘force’ if the Military refuses to vacate the seat of power, free the Democratically elected President and return Democracy back to the country.
Ironically, this same ECOWAS has turned blind eyes and kept mum over the years when most African Politicians (especially leaders) manipulate the Constitutions of their countries to suit their selfish interest, stay in power for donkey years, rig and or manipulate election results to clinch unmerited victory.
ECOWAS has been romancing institutional Coup carried out by West African Politicians over the years, watering the ground with massive corruption and insensitivity to the plight of the people.
However, Coup is bad and should be condemned but then, most Coup like the one in Niger Republic, Mali, Bukina Faso, Gabon, etc is the outcome of hopelessness, failed system without a sight of hope. Most African Leaders (Politicians) are wicked, insensitive and care not about service or sacrifice to the people. What we now see is either ‘Kakistocracy’ and or Master-Slave relationship. Otherwise, why would the citizens jubilate when the Military took over their government in Niger Republic?
ECOWAS should tread with caution because they are also guilty as charged. The failure of Good Leadership and Good Governance is bringing back the reign of Coup once again to the shores of West Africa. We cannot be so rich and yet so poor; we cannot have fertile land and yet lack good foods; We cannot have energy, wind, coal, Sun solid minerals and lack power/electricity supply; we cannot have water and yet be thirsty; we cannot have crude oil in abundance and yet cannot refine the products and or afford fuel; we cannot be so endowed with so much natural resources, yet the poverty capital of the world is in the region. With all the wealth in African, we still record the highest number of illiterates and out of school children in the world. Someone please tell me the real definition of ‘insanity’ again!
Africa is like a man that do not value or understand the enormous wealth he has and yet, goes cap in hand begging to eat.
The Western countries develop themselves and their nations using the wealth from Africa while living us with destructive ideologies from twisted religion, politics and general way of life. African Leaders have reduced themselves to the level of puppets before the West.
We need to admit the fact that a lot has already gone wrong in Africa before trying to play the saint. Let it be known that, injustice cannot cancel injustice, we need to put aside all the elements that have been used to cause division amongst us and address the African issues in an African way and by Africans.
