‘Election related military coups disrupt democratic gains’ – Chebukati

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati has weighed in on the latest coup in Gabon.

Taking to his official X account formerly Twitter, Chebukati noted that the recently witnessed coups across different African nations disrupted democratic gains.

The former IEBC chair also explained that observers are pivotal in supervising elections since they contribute towards transparency and accountability of election results.

“The avalanche of election-related military coups in Africa disrupts democratic gains. In most of these elections, Observers were excluded from the electoral process.

“Election Observers are necessary as they contribute towards transparency & accountability of an election outcome,” Chebukati stressed.

The avalanche of election related military coups in Africa disrupts democratic gains. In most of these elections, Observers were excluded from the electoral process.
Election Observers are necessary as they contribute towards transparency & accountability of an election outcome.

— Wafula Chebukati EGH (@WChebukati) August 31, 2023

The former IEBC official’s remarks came hours after a group of senior Gabonese military officers staged a coup live on national television after they dethroned President Ali Bongo who had been declared winner.

At the time, the aforementioned officials declared that they had seized power alleging that the recent general election lacked credibility.

The group went on to state that the elections had been cancelled as they announced that borders had been closed until further notice.

“In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers said on television.

Similarly, the military Junta in Niger seized power and arrested the democratically arrested President Mohammed Bazoum.