A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Robinson Uwak, has thrown his weight behind the actions taken by the African Union (AU) and international bodies against the military junta in Gabon.
He urged African leaders to ensure good governance and adhere to democratic tenets to keep a military coup at bay.
Uwak, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, condemned the latest coup in the country.
Chronicle NG reports that the military officers had, on Aug. 30, ousted President Ali Bongo of Gabon, a few days after the country’s national electoral body proclaimed him (the incumbent) as the winner of the Aug. 26 general elections.
Reacting, Uwak said: “As a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, I know the values of democratic government as opposed to military dictatorship.
“I, therefore, lend my voice in condemning the latest military coup in Gabon that removed President Omar Bongo.
“The actions of the coupists in Sudan, Tunisia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and now Gabon have set the Africa Union several steps back in its efforts to entrench democratic principles on the continent.
“I support the actions taken by the African Union and the international bodies against the junta in Gabon, which include the suspension of the country.”
Uwak, however, “urged the African leaders to ensure good governance and adhere to democratic tenets to keep a military coup at bay”.
“I must note that the resurgence of coups in Africa is tied to the many years of institutional failures and social injustice occasioned by bad leadership, flawed elections, impositions, and failure to respect democratic norms.
“For Africa to develop, therefore, it must evolve a democracy that would provide the needed development and take the majority of the people out of poverty,” he said.
