Professor Adriano Nuvunga, Executive Director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) in Mozambique and chairperson of the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, has shed light on the challenges facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in addressing the recent wave of coups in West Africa.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
Speaking with THE WHISTLER at the DW Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany, Nuvunga praised ECOWAS for its efforts but noted limitations faced by its current leadership, particularly Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, in effectively engaging with younger military leaders who have seized power in the sub-region.
“I have known Tinubu and have been following him for a long time. I don’t see him doing much because what can Tinubu do to a young President like the Burkina Faso guy?” Nuvunga questioned.
Professor Adriano Nuvunga
He pointed out the generational gap between 72-year-old Tinubu and leaders like the 36-year-old Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso, suggesting that this disconnect may hamper effective communication and influence.
The professor called for a “generational transformation” within ECOWAS, arguing that younger leaders are more invested in long-term stability and development.
“A young man like you cares more about the future,” Nuvunga stated, addressing THE WHISTLER‘s interviewer. “You have young children and you want them to inherit a country that is prosperous, inclusive and developmental.”
Nuvunga’s remarks come against a backdrop of increasing military takeovers in the region.
Since 2020, West and Central Africa have witnessed seven coups, with four ECOWAS member states – Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger – experiencing military interventions.
The coups have presented a challenge to ECOWAS, which was established in 1975 to promote stability and cooperation in the region.
Despite ECOWAS’s strong stance against these unconstitutional changes of government, including the implementation of sanctions and threats of military intervention in Niger, the regional bloc has struggled to reverse the trend.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as “an epidemic” of coups, noting the impunity with which some military leaders act.
While acknowledging the experience of older leaders like Tinubu, Nuvunga argued that the older generation’s lack of understanding of modern technologies and youth perspectives leads to fear and restrictive policies that further alienate younger populations.
“We have millions of young people who cannot meaningfully participate in our democracies because they are led by old people who do not understand the language of the young people,” Nuvunga explained.
“I’m not against the older people in the leadership. I’m not against that, don’t misunderstand me but I would want to see a young man leading Nigeria. Look at Senegal look at Senegal, be proud of Senegal.
“I would like to see Nigeria becoming the next. Though there is corruption and challenges, Nigeria needs a young man that is energetic and can travel to many places. A President who is able to go up and down, mobilize people and agitate (for things).
“But when you elect my old father, you seem not to take care of the future of our children.”
Despite these challenges, Nuvunga remains optimistic about ECOWAS’s potential. He commended the bloc for addressing issues such as the Gambian political crisis and efforts towards a common currency. However, he stressed the need for new strategies to address the changing nature of governance challenges in the region.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
