FG Urges Pan-African Approach To Address Unconstitutional Government Changes.
By Caroline Ameh
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized the need for a holistic African approach in tackling the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) in West Africa during the 10th Annual High-level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa held in Oran, Algeria.
Ambassador Tuggar cautioned against limiting the discussion around military takeovers to a regional context, stressing the significance of considering external factors contributing to these crises. He highlighted the consequences of conflict fallout, including the proliferation of arms stemming from Libya’s destabilization, failures in international strategies, and climate change, all of which have implications beyond West Africa.
Speaking at the panel discussion titled “Resurgence of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa: Global Outlook, Response and Implications for the A3,” the Minister urged a comprehensive examination of both internal governance issues and the impact of external influences on these destabilizing events.
He warned against the inclination to view military takeovers as solely a West African problem, pointing out the need for a broader perspective to effectively address the root causes. “It’s essential to acknowledge the regional and continental ramifications of these crises and not simply attribute them to internal governance shortcomings,” Ambassador Tuggar emphasized.
Enumerating the futility of accommodating military regimes for short-term gains, the Minister emphasized the importance of reviving the African Union’s developmental initiatives and infrastructure programs. He stressed the need for a coordinated effort to combat terrorist groups and criminal activities thriving in the complex border regions across the continent.
Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar advocated for prioritizing investments in the African Union’s developmental strategies over yielding to external pressures, including those propagated through social media, to legitimize military takeovers.
The call echoed the urgency for a unified, continent-wide approach to comprehensively tackle the multifaceted challenges posed by unconstitutional changes of government, striving towards stability, security, and sustained progress across Africa.
