Categories: AFRICA

Falana Tasks ECOWAS Leadership on Speedy Adoption of Protocol against Third Term

Rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana has called on West African leaders to make concerted efforts in the quick adoption of the proposed amendment of the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, aimed at ensuring that no president in the region serve beyond the two terms constitutional limit.

Falana predicated the charge on reports that Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo were opposing the progressive amendment to the protocol.

In a letter to the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the senior lawyer warned that delay in adopting the amendment would encourage sit tight president to do everything to perpetuate themselves in office, including amendment of their country’s Constitution to their favour.

He noted that, “the move to amend the protocol aims at ensuring that Heads of State and Government do not change the constitutions of their countries to stay beyond two terms in office, which is the common constitutional requirement in several member states.”

While he lamented the opposition to the amendment by Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo, he stressed the need, “for the majority of member states to reject the moves by the minority member states, and to show the leadership and political will by swiftly adopting the amendment to the protocol as currently proposed, especially given the recent experiences of unconstitutional change of governments in some African countries.”

He submitted that the proposed amendment to the protocol on term limit was entirely consistent with the ECOWAS foundational treaties, and the African Union Constitutive Act.
“The timely amendment will be a positive, effective and satisfactory response to the recent unconstitutional change of governments in some member states.

“As the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (African Charter) states, unconstitutional change of government amounts to a serious threat to stability, peace, security and development,” he added.

“Rejecting the reported moves by Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo to truncate the proposed amendment to the protocol would send a powerful message to rogue governments in the sub-region that the ECOWAS is willing and able to apply its foundational instruments and principles faithfully, consistently, and effectively.

“If the reported moves by Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo are allowed, it will encourage dictators who seek to amend and manipulate their national constitutions to elongate their terms of office. It will also lead to escalating attacks on political opponents and activists who oppose such illegal constitutional amendment,” he added.

Follow us on:

Alex Enumah

Recent Posts

Federal Government Reinstates Ikechebelu as Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK

The federal government has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, nullifying Professor…

1 hour ago

Court Of Appeal Nullifies Judgment Blocking Voter Register Release For Rivers LG Polls

Court of Appeal has overturned the Federal High Court ruling barring INEC from releasing voter…

1 hour ago

Kenya Cancels Adani Contracts as US Prosecutors Charge Tycoon with Fraud

Kenya has cancelled airport and energy deals with Adani following US bribery and fraud charges…

2 hours ago

Brazil’s Former President Bolsonaro, 36 Others Indicted Over Alleged Coup Attempt In Brazil

Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro and 36 others have been indicted for allegedly attempting a coup…

2 hours ago

Republican David McCormick Triumphs As Democrat Sen. Bob Casey Concedes After Recount

Republican David McCormick won Pennsylvania Senate seat as Democratic Sen. Bob Casey concedes after recount…

2 hours ago

Trudeau Announces Temporary Tax Relief and Cheques Amid Rising Living Costs

Trudeau's government has announced plans for temporary tax relief, cheques for Canadians amid rising costs…

2 hours ago