Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged African leaders to strengthen and uphold democratic institutions in their respective nations to earn the trust and confidence of their citizens.

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Addressing an audience on Thursday, 20th February, at the invitation of the Board of Trustees of the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, Akufo-Addo delivered the keynote speech at the official launch of A Journey In Service, the much-anticipated autobiography of former Nigerian military leader, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in Abuja, Nigeria.

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Speaking to a distinguished gathering of Nigeria’s elite, Akufo-Addo expressed his dismay over the resurgence of military coups in Africa, particularly in West Africa, where instability fueled by jihadist threats from the Sahel, economic hardships, and dissatisfaction with government policies has led to the re-emergence of unconstitutional power seizures.

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“The glittering assembly of Nigeria’s Who’s Who at the event was the perfect occasion to convey my deepest sense of disappointment that military coup d’etats have come back in fashion in our region and are seen as the answer to the instability being spread from the Sahel by jihadist activity, and by some as the answer to difficult economic conditions, or unpopular government policies,” Akufo-Addo stated in a post on X platform.

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He stressed the urgent need for African nations to recommit to democratic governance, highlighting that democracy offers a more sustainable and prosperous future for the continent.

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“It appears that we have our work cut out for us all over again to try to build and consolidate the democratic structures in our countries to gain the confidence of our populations, especially to show that the road to prosperity would be faster and longer lasting when we are democratic,” he emphasized.

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Akufo-Addo also called on West African countries and the broader African continent to firmly embrace multi-party democracy, declaring it the most effective and suitable governance model for Africa’s development after years of debate and political experimentation.

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His remarks come amid a troubling rise in military interventions across Africa. Since the August 2020 military coup in Mali, the region has witnessed over ten attempted takeovers.

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Adding to the growing concern, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—nations currently under military rule—have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) following prolonged diplomatic tensions. The departure of these three countries marks a significant setback for Ecowas, a regional bloc that has been central to West Africa’s political and economic cooperation for five decades.

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The split stemmed from the trio’s rejection of Ecowas’ demands for a return to civilian governance. Despite their exit, Ecowas has maintained that it remains open to dialogue, stating its “doors open” policy for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, even as the three nations pursue a new alliance under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

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