President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has warned leaders of West African countries against staying in office beyond the provisions of their constitutions.
Akufo-Addo, who is also the chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), gave the warning on Wednesday, during the opening of the ECOWAS high-level parliamentary seminar in Winneba, Ghana.
Akufo-Addo’s came few weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari issued similar warning to his African counterparts.
Buhari had during his speech at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations general assembly in New York, in September, said non-adherent to constitutional provisions, particularly on term limits, by African leaders was a major area that generates crisis and political tension in the West African sub-region.
He said “unconstitutional takeover of power” is eroding the democratic gains of the sub-region, and called on international community not to tolerate such action.
On May 25, Colonel Assimi Goita-led soldiers overthrew a democratic government of President Bah Ndaw, admist international condemnation.
Mali’s second coup in nine months had sparked global fear that the country may degenerate into a civil war which may jeopardize the country’s presidential election in February 2022, and the fight against the islamic militants in the country.
Five months later, Guinea’s military overthrew President Alpha Condé.
Condé was re-elected for a controversial third term in office amid violent protests in October 2020.
The coup leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who was the head of the elite national army, accused Conde’s government of “trampling on the rights of citizens” and disrespecting “democratic principles.”
Following the coups, both countries were suspended from the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS.
Akufo-Addo’s said leaders staying in power beyond the limits of the constitution is the major cause of political instability in the sub-region.
“Good governance should and must imperatively exclude political maneuvers to maintain power beyond constitutional requirements,” he said.
“Let us all be aware that beyond that, the marriage between the elected and the electorate becomes forced, the environment becomes toxic, the mandates become queried.”
