Fayemi: Citizens frustrated with civilian governments, but military rule not a viable alternative

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, says military rule is not a viable alternative in tackling governance deficits in West Africa.

Fayemi spoke in Abuja on Friday at the opening ceremony of the meeting of experts hosted by the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement to reflect on the opportunities and challenges that have defined West Africa’s integration journey.

The two-day meeting was organised in collaboration with the African Leadership Centre, the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), and the West Africa Citizen Think Tank (WATHI).

While noting that poverty, inequality, governance deficits, and insecurity have risen in West Africa, Fayemi said the challenges cannot be effectively addressed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its current form.

“There is an urgent need for a new, citizen-centred approach that responds to the real concerns of ordinary West Africans, rather than focusing solely on the priorities of political leaders,” he said.

Fayemi, who is also the co-founder of the Amanda Institute, said traditional military strategies alone are inadequate in tackling the complex threats posed by insurgents and terrorist groups.

“Many of these groups are deeply embedded within communities and even, in some cases, within the military itself,” he said.

“What is needed is a more sophisticated intelligence-based approach, combined with efforts to address the underlying social and economic drivers of insecurity.

“We need a comprehensive human security strategy that deals with issues of poverty, inequality, and governance failures, which extremist groups continue to exploit.

“While it is understandable that many citizens are frustrated with civilian governments that have failed to deliver on governance and security, we should also not mince words that military rule is not a viable alternative in tackling governance deficits.

“History has shown that military regimes do not provide sustainable solutions. In fact, in the three countries that have now exited ECOWAS, terrorism and insecurity have worsened since the military took over.”

Fayemi tasked ECOWAS to engage Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, who exited the regional bloc, on a pathway back to democratic governance.

Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commission president, said coups in the last years have threatened the bloc’s values of democracy and security.

Touray, represented by Abdufatah Musah, commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, said ECOWAS needed “deep introspection and honest self-assessment” on a way forward for effective regional integration.