By Jeremiah Nutsugah
The African Union (AU) convened the Second Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (Accra II Process on UCGs) in Accra, Ghana, from Monday, March 18th, to Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.
Under the theme “Robust Response, Deepening Democracy, Sustainable Security,” the forum was officially opened by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at Kempinski Accra.
Among the attendees were President Akufo-Addo of Ghana, H.E. Ambassador Emilia Ndinelao Mkusa, the representative of Namibia and chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, Chigwenya Cynthia, African Youth Ambassador for Peace in the Southern Region, and Mr. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The Accra II process aimed to assess the efforts and initiatives undertaken since the 2022 Accra Reflection Forum, identify key achievements and gaps in implementing its recommendations, and review the latest developments since the previous forum. It sought to deepen reflection on the structural root causes and impacts of UCGs in Africa.
President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized that democracy in Africa can be undermined when elections are not free and fair, and when legal loopholes are exploited to subvert constitutional provisions that guarantee inclusion and participation.
“When state apparatus is used to muzzle freedom of expression, citizens begin to feel that the democratic processes have taken them hostage,” he stated.
Regarding actions to be taken, the president suggested that the Secretariat, international civil servants, and civil society actors should provide policymaking with practical recommendations.
He noted the complexity associated with addressing the challenges and emphasized the need for multilateral institutions to make significant investments in relationship-building.
H.E. Ambassador Emilia Ndinelao Mkusa, representing Namibia and chairing the Peace and Security Council, acknowledged some progress made since the adoption of the declaration of the first forum.
She highlighted an increase in coup attempts on the continent since the last meeting, stressing the importance of redirecting efforts to address these challenges effectively.
“Our aim is to prevent the recurrence of such events and to guarantee peace, security, stability, and sustainable development in our continent by addressing the main drivers of these events,” she emphasized.
