Gabon Coup: Atiku Reveals How to End Military Takeovers in Africa

• Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has condemned the latest military coup in Gabon
• The former vice president said the coup in Gabon was the eighth of its kind since 2020, adding that people should start addressing the growing menace of the military coup in the continent
• Atiku then urged ECOWAS and AU to begin negotiations with the military leaders in the affected countries so that they could return to the barrack

FCT, Abuja - Atiku Abubakar, the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 presidential election, has condemned the recent military coup in Gabon, a central African country.

In a tweet on Thursday, August 31, the former vice president expressed worry about the spate of military coups in Nigeria, adding that the continent now needs to focus on the disease rather than the symptoms.

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In the wee hours of Wednesday, August 31, some army officers in Gabon announced the taking over of power and nullified the recent election in the country.

Gabon military closes border

The military also closed the country's borders and shut down all state institutions while the rule of law immediately went into suspension.

But Atiku maintained that the Gabonese military action marked the eighth of its kind in the African continent since 2020, adding that the development.

The PDP chieftain said:

"The latest coup brings the number of military takeovers in Central and West Africa to 8 since 2020. This is worrisome and calls for introspection. We may have to focus on dealing with the disease and not the symptoms that birth coups."

We have to stop the military from taking over in Africa

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Atiku added that democracy and democratic governance are preferred and that the people should be done to sustain, enthrone and nurture it.

He then urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to open talks with the affected countries' military leaders so they could return to the barracks.

The former vice president said:

"The ECOWAS and African Union authorities should open a window of diplomatic engagement that will pave the way for the soldiers to return to the barracks."

See the tweet here:

Military nullifies Gabon election, seizes power from democratic government

Legit.ng earlier reported that Gabon had become the eighth African country to come under military rule in the 21st century as some army officers announced the taking over of power on Wednesday morning.

The development followed the announcement of the outcome of Saturday's election, where President Ali Bongo was announced the winner of the poll for the third term.

Bongo's family has been ruling the country for 53 years. He took over from his father, who ruled the country for 40 years.

Source: Legit.ng