In a statement on military coups in Africa released on Friday afternoon, President Yoweri Tibihabulwa Museveni has condemned the increased use of coups as a means of changing governments in Africa.
In his recent interview with Radio France, Museveni condemned the Coup in Guinea, according to him, this was the latest and same condemnation goes to the one in Mali and all the others like the one that was in Madagascar, some time ago.
“Do the coup-makers have a right to interfere with our destiny?” The answer is a categorical “no”. It is good that the African Union accepted the minimum position of outlawing these coups. The freedom fighters, who themselves have not harmonized well among themselves, but must reject flunkeyism, should have no problem with leaders that do not share their views provided they are elected,”Museveni said.
‘‘In 1986, Uganda’s leadership came into our hands and we also made our humble contribution. Ever since 1975, the number of the frontline states had grown from the original 3 (Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana) to the then six (adding Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Angola).’’ Museveni said.
‘‘The imperialists wanted to extirpate the independent thinking leaders in Africa, like they did with Lumumba, Nkrumah, Modibo Keita, etc. The Portuguese invaded Conakry on the 22nd of November 1970. Sekou Toure and the Guinean resistance defeated them. Hence, Guinea of Sekou Toure, remained a reliable rear- base for the PAIGC (Partido Africano Independencia of Guinea and Cape-Verde).’’, He added in the statement.
That is how Guinea-Bissau, led by the capable Amilcar Cabral, whom the traitors assassinated on the 20th of January 1973, struck one of the biggest blows to Portuguese colonialism, so much that the defeated Portuguese Commander there, General Spinola, when he went back to Portugal, led the “golpe” (coup) against the fascist “Professorio Doctorio” Marcello Caetano.
The imperialists tried to overthrow Mwalimu Nyerere (the William Chacha Coup, the planting of bombs by South African Commandoes landed by sub-marines at, for instance, Selander bridge- 200meters from where I was staying at Sun and Sand hotel;);etc.
Therefore, when it comes to these new Coup detats in West Africa, we must ask three questions. The questions are:
1.“What is the ideological stand of these Coup makers? Do they understand the 5 aims of the African freedom fighters that caused the formation of the ANC in 1912?
2.Whom are they overthrowing in terms of ideology and aims? Who is Alpha Conde, who is Keita, ideologically? Are they in the tradition of the African freedom fighters like Nkrumah, Nyerere, Sekou Toure etc?
3.What right do these Coup makers have when it comes to interfering with our destiny? I certainly do not know the ideological position of the Coup-makers. There are, however, clues that show that they may not be part of the freedom fighters.
“The African Union has made some positive steps in working for the realization of some of our five strategic aims. The OAU supported the decolonization of Africa by creating the committee of 9 that co-ordinated the anti-colonial armed struggle,”Museveni said
“Who, then, are you to make a coup against the decision of the AU? Whose interest are you serving,” Museveni wondered
The freedom fighters, who themselves have not harmonized well among themselves, but must reject flunkeyism, should have no problem with leaders that do not share their views provided they are elected.
“Election means one person, one vote, by secret ballot, at regular intervals. This is the minimum they all have set and it is a good one.” He added
The position of one person, one vote, by secret ballot, at regular intervals, is a good minimum position because it addresses the substance of democracy, which means the continuous and perpetual supremacy of the sovereignty of the people.
Nobody has a right to interfere with this. Some of us, in the foot-steps of the freedom fighter elders, cannot contentedly accept that Africa becomes a Latin America in Africa.
The struggle led by the elders was: “for a free and United Africa”; not for “an unfree (neo-colonialism) and dispersed Africa.” He said.
Speaking directly about the latest coup that led to the ousting of the Guinea President Alpha Conde by the Special Forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, Museveni accused the coup leaders of being arrogant while giving orders to former officials in the ousted president’s government.
“I was amazed and amused by the arrogance of these people. When summoning former government ministers etc, one of them said that if anybody summoned does not come, he/she will be regarded as having declared rebellion!! Really!! Especially for the politicians, they have a right and even an obligation to say “No”, to whatever they don’t agree with. Saying “No”, includes not attending meetings called. It is a peaceful way of showing one’s unhappiness,” Museveni said.
During President Museveni’s swearing in ceremony earlier this year at Kololo independence ground, Conde was among the heads of state who attended.
The 83-year-old president in October 2020 won a controversial third term after changing the constitution earlier in March that year to allow him run for another term.