From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Worried by the spate coup d’etat in Africa, experts drawn from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Regional Centre for Governance and Security Policy Initiative (CGSPI), Centre for Good Leadership and Journalism (DCLJ), International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), have introduced measures to stem the tide.
They noted that the incursion of military in Niger Republic, Gabon, Mali, Burkina Faso, among others, was taking the continent back to the dark age and undermining the democratic successes recorded over the years.
At a joint press briefing yesterday in Abuja, NIPSS Director of Research, Prof Dung Pam Sha; RCGSPI Executive Director, Dr Jonathan Sandy and KAICIID Senior Programme Manager Africa, Agustin Nunez-vicandi said Africans must resist military dominance and unconstitutional government.
They recommended that an international consultative conference should be organised in order to fast track the implementation Regional Citizens Dialogue Programme.
They suggested the establishment of functional joint secretariat, a digital innovative-information, communication and technology web portal system; and elaborate media and communication strategy, where Africans can register their plights.
According to them, education and continuous dialogue among local actors, stakeholders and leaders should be organised periodically.
“Education and continuous dialogue with local actors, stakeholders, and leaders is critical to promoting a shared vision of democracy in Africa for Africans.
“Design and implement capacity building to bridge the skills gap in democracy,
peace and security among citizens and policy makers.
“Promote dialogue and diplomacy with countries in political transition.
Reinforce Observatories/Early Warning Hubs: Establish CSO-led Observatories/early warning hubs to monitor, document and respond to emerging threats to UCG before the situation escalates to military action or violent conflict.
“This initiative recognizes the existence of AU and ECOWAS-led Early Warning hubs, and it will find ways to create linkages and requires credible and capable CSOs to participate in this initiative,” the said in a communiqué.
Also, they resolved that deliberate measures should be made to ensure the voices of women and young people as beneficiaries.
“Support the ECOWAS in the Review of its Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“To kickstart this critical and urgent initiative, the RCDP is focused on setting up the secretariat in Abuja, resource mobilization, and creating massive awareness about UCG and entrenching a culture of democracy and citizens’ participation in Africa,” they further recommended.
Present at the launch were the representatives of the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs who officially launched the initiative while goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, the AU ECOSOCC, the West African Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), among others.