- The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) calls on African leaders to prioritize citizen welfare, peace, and security to strengthen democracy in the region
- Participants in the ‘State of Democracy’ webinar emphasize the need for citizen-centric initiatives, strong democratic frameworks, and accountability
The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) has urged African leaders to prioritize citizens’ welfare, peace, and security to consolidate democracy in the region.
This advice was given by participants at the ‘State of Democracy’ webinar organized by WAEF, an Initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), in a statement issued in Abuja by its Communications Officer, Mr Wealth Ominabo.
The conversation’s theme is “Making Meaning of Democratic Reversals in West Africa.”
The participants discussed the challenges to democratic governance in the region and how to best advance democracy in the face of a growing trend of coups and unconstitutional government changes.
The speakers at the virtual meeting also urged governments, regional and sub-regional bodies, and civil society organizations to invest more in citizen-centric initiatives to buffer against threats to democracy.
They also urged countries to strengthen democratic frameworks to ensure accountability and free and credible elections.
The panellists noted that the region’s decline due to poor governance had resulted in frustration and a trust deficit between citizens and the government.
They called for rethinking democracy on the continent to address citizens’ current realities.
Former Gambia Vice President Fatoumata Tambajang attributed the region’s democratic reversal to political leaders’ disregard for normative democratic values and inability to deliver on political promises.
It is time to rethink democracy within our context. First of all, what are the factors leading to democratic decline?
The context in the Sahel is complex because we have civil leaders who are not ready to respect the constitutions and civil institutions. They are also not ready to deliver on their democratic promises.
Most of our leaders believe that after soliciting for votes and getting a victory at the polls, they forget to deliver their promises to the people.
Citizens are getting more aware and saying they are tired of voting and not seeing results.
They are saying we want decent lives; we want food in our homes; we want security and competent people in the civil service who can deliver on services.
They are equally saying we want equal opportunity, gender equality, Tambajang said.
In addition, Mr. Remi Ajibewa, former Director of the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, suggested that ECOWAS should prioritize citizens over incumbent presidents.
Ajibewa emphasized the numerous initiatives undertaken by ECOWAS to safeguard democracy in the sub-region.
“We intend to see civilian coups, which manifest in referendums, popular uprising, military-assisted transition, and constitutional review after the election.
“Not that ECOWAS has not been doing well. It is a problem of perception.
“Citizens within the continent see ECOWAS as a body more interested in securing the regime of incumbent presidents and not working for the people’s interests.
“ECOWAS needs to move from ECOWAS of the government to ECOWAS of the people,” he said.
Ajibewa also said that safeguarding democracy in the continent required collective effort.
He urged all stakeholders to work towards protecting and promoting democracy in the region.
All of us, from civil society to member states, to ECOWAS, AU to the UN, all have a role to play.
We need to mobilise to strengthen member states institutions to have a peaceful and inclusive electoral system, Ajibewa said.
The Executive Director of Sahel Institute for Democracy and Governance, Mr Moussa Kondon, called on ECOWAS to redouble its efforts to protect democracy in the sub-region.
Kondon, also a panellist at the webinar, said that with ECOWAS, it was always negotiation and tonnes of negotiations while people were suffering.
With globalisation, people have access to information and are more informed than before.
ECOWAS must proactively engage and uphold its relevant instruments, especially those promoting democracy and good governance, he said.