Accra, March 23, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is concerned about the political instability in certain parts of Africa where in the past three months there have been unconstitutional changes of government in three countries.
The military has taken power in Guinea, assassinated the president of Guinea Bissau and installed a president in Madagascar. A statement signed by Mr Charles Owiredu, Director of International Communications, said the military took over the reins of government in Guinea following the sudden death of President Lassana Conte. It said the soldiers in Guinea-Bissau also assassinated President Bernado Vieira and are now ruling while last week, the former Mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina got himself sworn-in as the President of Madagascar.
This came about as a result of the Military and Rajoelina totally disregarding the country’s Constitution and staging a coup d’etat against President Marc Ravalomanana.
“The NPP finds these unconstitutional changes in government unacceptable and contemptuous of democratic institutions. The military juntas that staged coups have often said they have intervened as a patriotic duly to rescue their countries from total collapse. “But evidence abounds that military regimes have turned out to be more oppressive, corrupt and inefficient than the civilians they have overthrown.”
The NPP threw its weight behind ECOWAS, African Union (AU) and other institutions that had imposed sanctions on those countries and called on the new leaders of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar to quickly ensure that constitutional order was restored.
“The military’s duty is to safeguard the territorial boundaries of their countries and not to indulge in acts either themselves or with the connivance of self-seeking politicians to destabilize their nations,” the NPP said.
