President Akufo-Addo recommended that African Union (AU) member states should strive to uphold their national constitutions.
He said leaders are also expected to abide by presidential term limits in line with the rule of law to create political stability and democratic governance.
He warned that manipulating democratic processes, including tampering with election laws, constitutional provisions and term limits, in order to gain benefits at the expense of democratic norms and principles, should not be allowed.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, speaking at the second AU Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Change of Government (UCG) in Accra, expressed concern that some member states were keen to undermine the Accra Declaration. He said he is doing so.
The declaration states that the resurgence of unconstitutional regime change, the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism across the continent, as well as transnational organized crime, threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of some Member States. admits that it is having a negative impact on
Africa continues to face structural challenges in adequately addressing the root causes of terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional regime change, which will further exacerbate the continent’s growing political turmoil. ing.
The theme of the 2nd AU Reflection Forum is “Secure Response, Deepening Democracy and Sustainable Security”.
The two-day forum will build on the first held in March 2022 and the Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Change in Africa, also known as the Malabo Declaration.
Stakeholders will exchange views on strengthening democratic governance in Africa, promoting the nationalization of governance processes, and strengthening constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Both countries will work together on coordination and coherence for the effective implementation of the Malabo and Accra Declarations.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his unequivocal condemnation of any elevation to power that violates the constitutional provisions and violates democratic norms.
He noted that the Accra Declaration affirms the continent’s collective commitment to the principle of zero tolerance to coups d’état.
“When we gathered here two years ago, four union members had been suspended for unconstitutional government changes in our territory.
“Today, two years later, the situation is even worse. As we gather here, six member states of the European Union have been suspended for the same reason.
“This is an extraordinary milestone in our efforts to protect democracy in Africa,” he said.
Commenting on the relevance of the forum, the President urged participants to take the discussion seriously, as democratic governance and the rule of law are key ingredients for promoting prosperity and development.
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