Military takeovers not solution to Africa’s economic challenges – Asantehene
The rising number of coup d’états throughout the African continent has alarmed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. He explains these military takeovers as the result of difficult economic times that led to the overthrow of democratically elected governments. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II fiercely rejected the idea of military coups as a solution to Africa’s…
The rising number of coup d’états throughout the African continent has alarmed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
He explains these military takeovers as the result of difficult economic times that led to the overthrow of democratically elected governments.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II fiercely rejected the idea of military coups as a solution to Africa’s issues when speaking at the St. Andrews Africa Summit in Scotland.
He reiterated that he is adamant that military takeovers are not the solution, regardless of the situation.
“Let me make it categorically clear that regardless of the circumstances, I do not think that a military takeover offers the solution to the problems of our continent. There was a time when circumstances produced the notion that the gun was the solution, those times are over. We are in completely different circumstances now. The critical problems confronting Africans’ economy from North to South, East to West, the burden is the economy,” the Asantehene said.
In recent years, coups have taken place in a number of African nations, with Niger and Gabon being the most noteworthy examples.
The most recent occurrence happened in Gabon, where military officials announced on August 30 that election results that had named President Ali Bongo the winner had been invalidated.
The opposition has accused the Electoral Commission of fraud after its announcement.
