Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has expressed grave worry over the growing number of coup d’états taking place on the African continent.
He blames these military takeovers on the difficult economic circumstances that many countries are currently experiencing, which have caused democratically elected governments to be overthrown.
In his speech to the St. Andrews Africa Summit in Scotland, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II vehemently rejected the idea that military coups might be used to address Africa’s issues. He reiterated that, despite the situation, he is adamant that military takeovers are not the solution.
“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.
Coups have occurred in a number of African nations in recent years, with Niger and Gabon being two of the most famous cases.
The most recent episode took place in Gabon on August 30, when military officials seized power and proclaimed the annulment of the election results that had pronounced President Ali Bongo the victor.
