The coup d’etats sweeping across West Africa by storm were earlier predicted by General Overseer of the Action Chapel International ministry, Archbishop Duncan Williams.
In an interview with broadcast journalist, Paul Adom-Otchere in 2021, the revered man of God announced an uprising by the youth in West Africa.
According to Archbishop Duncan Williams, the revolt coming like a “wind” can be likened to the Arab uprising – anti-government protests, demonstrations, and uprisings that swept across several countries in the Arab world, primarily in North Africa and the Middle East, starting in late 2010.
“There is a wind coming. And it’s not 2019, it will begin after 2020. The Arab uprising is coming. It’s coming not just to Ghana – West Africa, all over if we don’t do something,” he said.
The only way to avert such a calamity, he said, is to provide the youth with hope of a better tomorrow.
During the period he conducted the interview, the Archbishop noted that the youth have no will to live, hence will give up their life to fight the current system – a matter he found concerning.
“If we don’t give them hope, that’s why I am going back to the schools, speak to them. I am engaging the youth again because if we don’t give them hope and a sense of direction…”
The 75-year-old stated: “The most dangerous thing in life is to fight somebody who has nothing to lose. They don’t have wives, children, cars, lands. They have no hope, nothing to live for. They don’t mind dying.”
Archbishop Duncan Williams acknowledged the potential of AGENDA 2063, which is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
The genesis of Agenda 2063 was the realisation by African leaders that there was a need to refocus and reprioritise Africa’s agenda from the struggle against apartheid and the attainment of political independence for the continent which had been the focus of The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the African Union; and instead to prioritise inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena.
According to the man of God, such an initiative will only become effective should past and present leaders come together and do away with the propaganda politics which has failed to address the needs of Africans.
“It will work only if our leaders, especially former presidents and the leaders of today will come together and say ‘let’s take hold of our country. Let’s do something because this party politics as much as is democracy, we have to do it in the context of what works with our tradition. If we don’t look at it carefully, it will create an atmosphere that the countries of Africa will become very difficult to govern,” he stated.
Arab Uprising
The Arab Uprising began in Tunisia in December 2010 when a street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest of police harassment and government corruption. His act of self-immolation ignited mass protests and demonstrations, eventually leading to the downfall of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.
The success of the Tunisian uprising inspired similar movements in other Arab countries, including Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain, among others. Each country’s circumstances and outcomes varied, but the common thread was the demand for political reform, human rights, and improved living conditions.
The Arab Uprising had varying degrees of success in different countries. In Egypt, protests led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. However, the transition to democracy was complicated, and political turmoil persisted. In Libya, the uprising escalated into a civil war, with international intervention leading to the eventual overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime. Syria’s uprising evolved into a protracted and devastating civil war that continues to this day.
Other countries experienced varying levels of government responses, from limited reforms to violent crackdowns on protests. The Arab Uprising brought attention to long-standing grievances and sparked discussions about political change and social justice across the region.
While the outcomes of the Arab Uprising were mixed and often complex, the movement highlighted the power of people’s voices in demanding change and pushed the Arab world into a period of significant transformation and uncertainty.
Life after the prophecy
West Africa has observed numerous military overthrow since Archbishop Duncan William’s prediction.
In the past three years, the West African sub-region has witnessed a total of six successful coups.
Mali experienced two coups, the first in August 2020 and the second in May 2021. Guinea faced a military takeover in 2021, while Burkina Faso encountered two coups in January and September 2022.
In Mali’s case, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was ousted from power by a military coalition in August. Subsequently, Mali’s former Defense Minister, Bah Ndaw, assumed the presidency of the new transitional government, with Colonel Assimi Goita appointed as vice president. However, they were both removed from power a year later in May by Colonel Assimi Goita.
On September 5, 2021, Guinea experienced a coup d’état as the armed forces captured President Alpha Condé, who had extended his stay in power through a constitutional amendment.
In Burkina Faso, President Roch Kabore was ousted from power on January 24, 2022, following a coup led by Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba. However, eight months later, military rule was reestablished, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The most recent incident is the military takeover in Niger, where General Abdourahamane Tchiani orchestrated a coup on July 26, 2023, overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum.
The common factor
Guinea’s situation stemmed from President Condé’s alteration of the constitution to extend his term beyond the mandated two terms. He secured a controversial third term in an election marred by violence and alleged irregularities in October 2020.
In Burkina Faso, the escalation of a jihadist insurgency contributed to the leadership change, which was also the reason behind Colonel Assimi Goita’s removal from power.
A recurring theme across these incidents is leaders’ failure to safeguard their citizens. This pattern persists in Niger, as President Bazoum’s administration has faced criticism for inadequately addressing the region’s entrenched violent Islamist extremism over the past decade.
Currently, ECOWAS has intervened hoping to restore Niger to a democratic rule under President Bazoum but the coup leaders have opposed. The leaders on Sunday defied an ultimatum to reinstate the elected president.
Niger currently has the backing of Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea.
Niger now faces the possibility of armed intervention from other West African states. In the interim, Niger’s military leaders have closed the country’s airspace.
Since the prophecy, West Africa has witnessed a series of successful coups. Mali experienced two coups in 2020 and 2021, while Guinea and Burkina Faso faced coups in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In Niger Republic, a coup occurred in July 2023. Gabon witnessed the ousting of President Ali Bongo on August 30.
These incidents underscore the need for leaders to address citizen grievances and concerns to prevent further instability in the region.
ECOWAS has intervened to restore democratic rule in Niger Republic, but challenges remain as coup leaders resist reinstating the elected president.
The situation has heightened tensions and raised the possibility of armed intervention from other West African states.
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