The International Trade Union Confederation ITUC-Africa, has condemned the Army take over in Guinea-Bissau describing it as “a set back to democracy in Africa.”
A statement by the General Secretary ITUC-Africa, Comrade Joel Odigie, said that Africa should stand together and condemn the “forceful over throw of legitimate and Constitutional governments in the continent.”
The statement titled, “Defend Constitutional Order-No More Coups In Africa,” stated that “the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC- Africa firmly denounces the coup in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
“The forceful and unconstitutional overthrow of a legitimate government is a grave assault on democracy, peace, and the rights and freedoms of workers and citizens.
“Africa’s Constitutions embody our collective desire for justice, accountable governance, and development.
“Coups destabilise societies, reverse social and economic progress, and expose people, especially workers, to insecurity and repression.”
Odigie stressed that the people of Guinea-Bissau deserve stability and leadership rooted in democratic legitimacy not “military adventurism”.
“At our recent ITUC-Africa Peace and Security Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this month, trade unions from every corner of the continent declared unequivocally: No more coups. No more renegade constitutions. No more sham elections. No more attacks on trade unions and human rights,” he said.
The ITUC-Africa Scribe emphasised that leadership changes must occur only through constitutional
and democratic processes.
He said; “We recognise that the increasing frequency of coups across the continent reflects public frustration with leaders who fail to deliver on the promises of democracy.
“This must be a wake-up call: it is time for leadership that advances decent work, equality, transparency, and social
justice.”
Odigie said democracy must serve the people or risk losing the people.
He said; “We emphasised the need for Africa to strengthen, ensure, and secure the sanctity of the rule of law. We are convinced that the rule of law will engender multiparty participatory democracy.
“It is critical that laws are respected and that mechanisms for interpreting and enforcing them are robust, forthright, and consistent in their delivery.”
Odigie said that most citizens do not trust their nation’s legal/judicial system because of delayed, denied, and undermined justice adding that these must change.
“ITUC-Africa, therefore, calls upon:
The coup leaders in Guinea-Bissau are to immediately restore constitutional order, guarantee the safety of all citizens, and respect fundamental freedoms, including
trade union rights.
“The African Union and ECOWAS to take decisive and coordinated action to defend democratic governance, including investigating the circumstances surrounding this coup, which took place as election results are being collated and released.
“All labour movements and civil society actors should stand united against all forms of undemocratic rule and remain steadfast in protecting the democratic space”, Odigie stated.
Mercy Chukwudiebere