Louisa Atta-Agyemang bemoans re-emergence of rebellions in Africa

The co-chairperson of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), Ghana’s Louisa Atta-Agyemang says the escalating pattern of toppling democratically elected governments in sub-Saharan Africa should not be entertained.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA Forum 2024), held in Accra on 8 August 2024, she described as intolerable the re-emergence of military Coup d’etats in especially West Africa and called for concerted efforts to stop it.

“Since August 2020, for instance, power has changed hands unconstitutionally six times in five countries: Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Chad, and Mali. Two other African countries saw thwarted coup attempts in this period, Niger in March 2021 and Guinea-Bissau in January 2022, the latter of which led to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deploying a force to the country.”

“Such events underscore the urgent need for us to strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure that they are resilient against such disruptions. Our mission at the Democrat Union of Africa is to advocate for and support democratic governance, uphold the rule of law, and promote political stability across the continent. We must continue to stand firm against any actions that undermine these principles and work collectively to foster environments where democracy can thrive.”

She emphasised the importance of deepening democracy in Africa to address the myriad development deficit that has plagued the continent for decades.

“The theme of this year’s forum, Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Political Stability: Crafting Africa’s Response, resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face today as a continent. As we gather here today, it is essential to reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles that unite us as leaders: transparency, accountability, inclusitivity, and the rule of law. Every leader present at this forum is a firm believer in these core values, which are fundamental to building and sustaining strong democratic institutions. However, as we celebrate our unity and shared values, we must also acknowledge and address the undemocratic happenings on our continent.”

She implored African leaders to create more opportunities that will embolden the youth to zealously safeguard the continent’s development.

“The world is at a crossroads, and this holds particularly true for Africa. We have before us a unique opportunity to write about and determine the future of our people. As we stand at the brink of a new era, it is imperative that we challenge the status quo and boldly pursue a path that creates employment, determines our development strategies, builds stronger healthcare systems, and sheds an unquenchable light for the upcoming generation to follow. The time has come for Africa to redefine its destiny, leveraging our immense resources, diverse cultures, and the undying spirit of our people to forge a future that is shaped by our own hands.”

“For Africa, this is not just an opportunity but a necessity. We must harness our collective strengths to address the pressing challenges that have long hindered our progress. By fostering a culture of democracy, entrepreneurship, investing in education and healthcare, we can build an Africa that stands tall on the global stage. Our mission must be to create a continent where the dreams and aspirations of every African can be realised, where the younger generation can look forward to a future filled with promise and possibility.”

“As we proceed with this forum, we must share best practices and collaborate on strategies to fortify our democratic institutions. We must create a political system in Africa where democracy is not just an ideal but a lived reality for all citizens. Together, we can shape a future where political stability and democratic governance are the foundations of our societies, ensuring a prosperous and independent Africa for generations to come.”

The co-chairman of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), bemoaned the constitutional cracks in Togo saying, “On April 19, lawmakers in the National Assembly from the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party adopted a change to the Constitution by a vote of 87-0 that eliminates citizens’ right to vote directly for the president of the Republic. The approved Constitution also establishes a new powerful executive position of President of the Council of Ministers, elected by the National Assembly. This change removes the stipulation of a limit of two five-year presidential terms—a key provision in the 2019 Constitution adopted after widespread popular protests. These developments in Togo highlight the fragility of democratic institutions and the ongoing struggle for political stability in some parts of our continent. This is not an isolated incident.”

As the convener of the DUA 2024, Louisa Atta-Agyemang, espoused Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia’s unassuming nature and described him as a source of inspiration to the African youth.

“At this year’s forum, we are honored to host the Leader and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Your Excellency, your dedication to public service, especially your commitment to the youth, has been truly inspiring. I recall with pride your keynote speech at the Young Democrat Union of Africa Forum in Malawi during my tenure as President of YDUA where you charged the young people in Africa to be keenly interested in politics and to do so with a passion to make Africa a better place for all. Your leadership has been characterized by humility, firmness and innovation, exemplified by your pioneering efforts in digitizing Ghana. In my current role as Deputy CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, I have witnessed firsthand how some of these digital interventions are yielding real results.”
She thanked the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for their support and collaboration in organizing the forum.

“On behalf of all of us at the Democrat Union of Africa, I also extend a heartfelt thank you to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and in particular, Dr. Holger Dix, for his enduring support of our
mission. If we are having this conference today, it is largely because Dr Dix and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation have seen meaning in what we are doing and our efforts to build stronger democratic systems in Africa.”

Participants at the forum were the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Uganda, Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, Unity Party in Liberia, PDCI-RDA in Ivory Coast, Popular Democratic Movement in Namibia, The Third Republic Party in Tunisia, The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) in Mozambique, Kenya African National Union in Kenya, RENAMO in Mozambique, Forces Démocratiques Pour LaRépublique (FDR) in Togo, People’s Movement For Democratic Change (PMDC) in Sierra Leone, Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria, the National Grand Coalition Party in Sierra Leone, UNITA in Angola, CHADEMA in Tanzania, the Istiqlal Party in Morocco, Malawi Congress Party in Malawi, the ACDP in South Africa, the Democratic Party in Uganda, and Unión de Centro Derecha (UCD) in Equatorial Guinea.”

Reporting by ABDUL KARIM NAATOGMAH in Accra

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