Coup In Gabon and Irresponsible Democracies in Africa

Africa’s democracies are sick and sitting on a time bomb in each country. These sick bad democratic leaders and the coup in Niger and now  Gabon are the results of Irresponsible Democracies in Africa and how they are making coups an option.

Fresh reports coming in indicate that there has been a Coup In Gabon due to election credibility issues. Gabonese went to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president between President Ali Bongo and the sole candidate filed for the election by all opposition parties, Albert Ondo Ossa.

In times, like this, the coming in of the military becomes the only solution. However, once it happens, other democratically elected leaders across the continent begin to converge in to condemn the coup when in actual fact they are also doing similar things in their respective countries.

There have been two successful coups in Africa in the month of August. The first one was in Niger and now Gabon.

The Coup In Gabon demonstrates to a large extent the irresponsible democracies in Africa that seek to impoverish its people, as democratically elected leaders decide to hold on to power for personal gains at the expense of the citizens.

However, the ousted Gabonese former President Ali Bongo and the electoral commission had their own agenda to alter the will of the people. To achieve this, they cut off communication and internet lines, ensuring they cut out information flow. However, the leader of the opposition parties, Albert Ondo Ossa, called on the president to step down and indicated that he had won the election.

The military took over in a coup…“In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers said on television.

Gabon is a central African country, that is rich in natural resources. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean, it borders Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. It is sparsely populated, with a population of 2.3 million (2021) and forests covering 88% of its territory.

The sad reality is that the ousted of Gabon, Ali Bongo’s father was former President Omar Bongo, who had 70 bank accounts, 39 apartments, 2 Ferraris, 6 Mercedes-Benz cars, 3 Porsches, and a Bugatti in France. He ruled for 42 years (from 1967 to 2009).

READ: BREAKING: Coup In Gabon due to election credibility

Irresponsible Democracies in Africa

Democracy is often seen as the best form of government, but it can also be flawed. In Africa, there have been a number of cases where democracies have become so irresponsible that they have led to coups.

One of the main problems with irresponsible democracies in Africa is that they are often characterized by corruption and cronyism. This means that the government is not accountable to the people, and instead serves the interests of a small elite. This can lead to widespread dissatisfaction with the government, which can create an environment ripe for a coup.

Another problem with irresponsible democracies in Africa is that they are often fragile. This means that they are easily destabilized by external factors, such as economic shocks or political instability in neighboring countries. This can also create an environment where a coup is more likely to succeed.

Finally, irresponsible democracies in Africa are often characterized by weak institutions. This means that the government does not have the capacity to effectively enforce the rule of law or protect the rights of its citizens. This can also lead to a coup, as the military may see itself as the only institution capable of bringing order to the country.

The coup in Mali in 2021 is a recent example of how irresponsible democracy can lead to a coup. The Malian government had become increasingly corrupt and ineffective, and the people had lost faith in it. This created an environment where the military was able to seize power.

The coup in Sudan in 2021 is another example. The Sudanese government had been accused of human rights abuses and mismanagement, and the people had taken to the streets in protest. The military intervened and overthrew the government, promising to hold new elections.

But very fresh in our memory are the Niger and Gabon coups that have been carried out by the military in August 2023.

They demonstrate largely how irresponsible democracies in Africa can lead to coups. It is important to remember that democracy is not always the best form of government and that it can be flawed in many ways. In Africa, there is a need for strong institutions and accountable governments that can deliver for the people. Only then can democracy be truly successful.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to coups in Africa. These include:

• Ethnic tensions: In some countries, there is a history of ethnic conflict that can make it difficult to build a stable democracy.
• Economic problems: When the economy is doing poorly, people are more likely to be dissatisfied with the government and more likely to support a coup.
• Foreign interference: In some cases, foreign powers have been accused of supporting coups in order to achieve their own strategic goals.

It is important to note that not all coups in Africa are caused by irresponsible democracies. In some cases, coups are carried out by the military or other groups in order to seize power for themselves. However, irresponsible democracies are certainly a contributing factor in many cases.

There is no easy solution to the problem of irresponsible democracies in Africa. However, some possible steps that could be taken include:

• Strengthening institutions: This could involve improving the rule of law, increasing transparency and accountability, and building up the capacity of the civil service.
• Promoting good governance: This could involve fighting corruption, ensuring that elections are free and fair, and protecting human rights.
• Addressing economic problems: This could involve investing in education and healthcare, creating jobs, and reducing poverty.
• Reducing foreign interference: This could involve imposing sanctions on countries that support coups, and working to resolve conflicts peacefully.

The challenge of building stable democracies in Africa is a complex one. However, by addressing the factors that contribute to irresponsible democracies, it is possible to create a more stable and prosperous future for the continent.