Nigeria urges ECOWAS Defence Chiefs to Curb Coups
He emphasized that these actions have jeopardized the democratic principles that the region collectively upholds.
General Musa highlighted the unintended consequences of military takeovers, noting that they pose significant threats to the democratic values that ECOWAS member states strive to protect.
He asserted that the essence of military professionalism is fundamentally at odds with the notion of seizing government power through coups.
“Recent challenges like the military coup in some countries in the region have had unintended consequences and have threatened our collective democratic values,” General Musa stated.
“This threat must be destroyed as it negates our core responsibilities as military professionals. Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to emphasize that, as democratic countries, we in the military must uphold democratic values in line with our various constitutions.”
The Chief of Defence Staff stressed the importance of maintaining democratic values and adhering to constitutional mandates, which are the bedrock of governance in democratic societies. He called on military leaders to recommit to their primary duties of protecting their nations and upholding the rule of law, rather than undermining it through unconstitutional means.
General Musa expressed optimism that the ongoing ECOWAS meeting would foster strategies to prevent future coups and reinforce the collective determination of West African nations to ensure peace and sustainable development for their citizens. He emphasized that such collaborative efforts are crucial in safeguarding the stability and progress of the region.
“I am also optimistic that this meeting will assist us in preventing such abnormalities while strengthening our collective resolve to bring about peace and sustainable development to our people,” General Musa added.
In a stern address delivered at the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, underscored the destabilizing effects of recent military coups in West African countries.
He emphasized that these actions have jeopardized the democratic principles that the region collectively upholds.
General Musa highlighted the unintended consequences of military takeovers, noting that they pose significant threats to the democratic values that ECOWAS member states strive to protect.
He asserted that the essence of military professionalism is fundamentally at odds with the notion of seizing government power through coups.
“Recent challenges like the military coup in some countries in the region have had unintended consequences and have threatened our collective democratic values,” General Musa stated.
“This threat must be destroyed as it negates our core responsibilities as military professionals. Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to emphasise that, as democratic countries, we in the military must uphold democratic values in line with our various constitutions.”
The Chief of Defence Staff stressed the importance of maintaining democratic values and adhering to constitutional mandates, which are the bedrock of governance in democratic societies. He called on military leaders to recommit to their primary duties of protecting their nations and upholding the rule of law, rather than undermining it through unconstitutional means.
General Musa expressed optimism that the ongoing ECOWAS meeting would foster strategies to prevent future coups and reinforce the collective determination of West African nations to ensure peace and sustainable development for their citizens. He emphasized that such collaborative efforts are crucial in safeguarding the stability and progress of the region.
“I am also optimistic that this meeting will assist us in preventing such abnormalities while strengthening our collective resolve to bring about peace and sustainable development to our people,” General Musa added.
