President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau warned against military intervention in politics in Africa and the rest of the world.
He said the global community was no longer inclined to tolerate such action.
Addressing a special session of the National Peoples Assembly during his visit to Guinea-Bissau, Jonathan called on the country’s Armed Forces to embrace total respect for democracy and constitutionalism.
“It is no longer fashionable today to see the military parading themselves as the custodians of political power.”
“Rather, it is fashionable for the military to embrace the protection, preservation and total respect for constitutional order and democracy in order to build a prosperous and an egalitarian society.”
The President said he was in Bissau to show solidarity to the Government and people of the country as part of efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability on the African continent.
He re-stated Nigeria’s condemnation of recent attacks on the Nigerian Embassy and Nigerians in Guinea Bissau cautioning that “mischief makers” in the country should be discouraged from inciting the public against Nigerians and other Africans.
Jonathan called on the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to bring the perpetrators of the criminal attacks to justice.
“We should be our brothers’ keepers and work hand-in-hand in this era of globalisation so as to reap the fruits that come with it. I want to reassure you that the incident that led to the death of a Nigerian will not deter us from our desire to ensure that peace and stability is restored in Guinea-Bissau,” he added.
The President pointed out that the objective of his visit was to “identify with your aspiration to transform your country to the status of a stable and democratic society that will guarantee peace and stable democratic governance, which is a fundamental pre-requisite for meaningful economic development.”
He therefore called on the country’s political leaders and members of its Armed Forces to “remain steadfast and maintain the commitment which you have demonstrated right from the onset until the transition process is successfully completed with the holding of general elections which will take place soon.”
He urged stakeholders in the country to sheathe their swords and work together in harmony to salvage the nation.
He assured the gathering that Nigeria and ECOWAS will continue to make financial and material contributions to ensure that the general elections are held as quickly as possible.
The Speaker of the National Peoples’ Assembly, Ibraima Sori Djalo thanked President Jonathan and the Nigerian Government for “Nigeria’s presence in our country every time we need support, particularly in this last crisis to which we are determined to find a solution.”
He described the October attack on Nigerians in Guinea Bissau as very “depressing” and reiterated the earlier official apology conveyed to Nigeria on the incident.
Both countries later signed a Cooperation Agreement to boost bilateral relations.
The agreement was signed by the Nigerian Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Nurudeen Mohammed, and his Guinea Bissau counterpart, Fernando Delfim da Silva, in the presence of President Jonathan and his host, the Interim President of Guinea Bissau, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, and top government officials of both countries.
Source: Daily Independent
