Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned political leaders and civilians promoting or endorsing military overthrow of governments in West Africa.

On Thursday he urged African leaders to prioritise rule of law, rebuild public trust and strengthen governance institutions to deepen democracy and discourage military coups in West Africa.

“You are aware of the state of affairs in our region; the issues of coups and counter coups and the growing obsession of some state actors to ascend to power through unconstitutional means,” said Mr Jonathan. “We have also witnessed how civilians and other stakeholders in the civic space have encouraged and openly demonstrated solidarity with those who overthrow constitutional government.”

Mr Jonathan made the call at a two-day sub-regional dialogue on sustaining democratic principles in West Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

He also encouraged African leaders to promote transparency, accountability and inclusion in their state policies to be able to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, said a statement by his media aide Ikechukwu Eze.

Mr Jonathan, the chair of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), organisers of the event, also noted that the deficit of trust and gap between expectation and reality was another reason for the democratic reversals in the region.

“We are not oblivious of the fact that there are challenges that have given rise to this new wave of democratic reversals in our region. The non-adherence to democratic principles; disregard for the constitution, lack of respect to constitutional term limits and flawed elections have led to insecurity and the eventual collapse of constitutional governments,” added Mr Jonathan.

The ex-president urged leaders and citizens not to keep quiet when they see the erosion of those principles that define their humanity and issues that promote solidarity.

“This is why we need to work together to ensure that democracy is preserved. Let me emphasise that our quest for peace and economic prosperity as a continent is tied to our determination to uphold the inherent principles of democracy,” explained Mr Jonathan. “It is in this regard that I will appeal to our leaders to continue to make sacrifices for the peace and prosperity of our continent.”

The former president urged African leaders to increase investments in democracy through the strengthening of institutions, ensuring separation of powers and independence of the different arms and tiers of government.

“Let us guarantee the independence of our electoral management bodies in our countries, so that they can carry out their mandate with integrity, transparency, and diligence, and deliver electoral outcomes that will be adjudged credible, peaceful and free and fair,” Mr Jonathan explained. “Let us be deliberate about issues of transparency, accountability and inclusion in our state policies. Let us respect our social contract with our people and work with solidarity with all segments of our society for the greater good of our people and continent.”

The WAEF chair also urged political leaders to resist the temptation of the power of their offices and conform to the doctrines of the rule of law and other democratic principles.

“May we be guided by the reality that as political leaders, we are all servants to the people, we wield power and authority in trust of the people. At all times we must justify and not breach this trust,” noted Mr Jonathan.

Since inauguration last year, WAEF, an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, with support from OSIWA, has continued to champion causes that promote peace, democracy and good governance in the sub-region.

(NAN)