The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed deep concern about the increasing occurrence of coups on the African continent. He attributes these military takeovers to the challenging economic conditions faced by nations, which often lead to the removal of democratically elected governments.
Addressing the St. Andrews Africa Summit in Scotland, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II strongly opposes the idea of military coups as a solution to Africa’s problems. He firmly believes that, regardless of the circumstances, military takeovers are not the answer.
“Let me make it categorically clear that regardless of the circumstances, I do not think that a military takeover offers the solution to the problems of our continent. There was a time when circumstances produced the notion that the gun was the solution, those times are over.”
“We are in completely different circumstances now. The critical problems confronting Africans’ economy from North to South, East to West, the burden is the economy,” the Asantehene said.
In recent years, several African countries have witnessed coups, with notable instances occurring in Niger and Gabon.
The most recent incident happened in Gabon when military officers assumed control on August 30, annulling election results that had declared President Ali Bongo the winner, amid allegations of fraud by the opposition.
