Coups: Nigeria has critical role in stabilising West Africa, says group

Save Democracy Group, a coalition of pro-democracy platforms, says Nigeria has a role to play in keeping military coups at bay in West Africa.

A statement issued by the group on Thursday said Nigeria has the obligation of guiding the sub-region due to the power and influence it wields.

“Nigeria’s role is protecting West Africa’s democracy and averting a return to military rule,” the statement reads.

“Nigeria naturally has a part to play in maintaining sub-regional democracy, stabilising West Africa, and thwarting military takeovers and coup plotters.

“Nigeria is a medium power, and the idea of Nigeria as a medium power entails a duty to guide and influence the sub-region of West Africa by guaranteeing the endurance and sustenance of democracy, peace, and stability.”

The group hailed Nigeria’s interventions led by President Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in attempting to restore democracy to some countries in the region that are currently under military rule.

However, the democracy activists said more work needs to be done with greater vigour.

“Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and having the largest concentration of people of black descent worldwide, ought to imitate the American Good Neighbour Policy and play a more deliberate role in West Africa,” the statement added.

“Nigeria must hence insist on democracy and a set term or terms for the presidents of the sub-region’s member countries to promote peace and stability in the area. 

“Nigeria must demand free, fair, and credible elections for the people of the sub-region to be able to pick who will lead and represent them.”

Making a case for why democracy is in line with global best practices, the coalition said democratic societies defend freedom of speech, uphold the rule of law, impose stable political systems and periods of office, hold free and fair elections, and encourage press freedom — as opposed to military rule.

Since 2020, seven democratically led African nations — Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Niger Republic (four of which are in West Africa) have been sacked by coups.