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The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union (AU), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has stated that the African Union must work towards addressing the issues of terrorism, poverty and organised crimes that confronts the continent frontally and robustly.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye was addressing the press on the topic addressing the media on the topic, ‘‘Second African Union Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government’, held by the ministry of information.

He therefore stressed that the African continent is faced with a “multiplicity of challenges” despite the African Union’s efforts in championing democratic principles.

He said, “The African Union is a transformation vehicle. Through ‘Agenda 2063’ over the past 10 years the African Union has continued through our leaders to champion democracy, constitutionalism, the rule of law as well as sustainable development, he said, adding, “But the challenges remain, the multiplicity of challenges starting with terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and of course poverty.”

He added that “to address these issues—peace, security, sustainable development—these threats must be addressed frontally and robustly.”

Over the years, the AU has experienced a rather disturbing trend of unconstitutional means of changing democratically elected presidents. In all, the continent has seen seven military takeovers over the last four years.

“The African Union has over the past three [to] four years witnessed the new trend, the emerging trend of unconstitutional changes to government. This anti-constitutionalism also has far-reaching implications for our development aspirations nationally, regionally, and continentally and of course with international implications,” Ambassador Adeoye stated.

According to Ambassador Adeoye, the Accra Reflection Forum, which started in 2022, aims to reinforce the commitment of stakeholders to abide by democratic principles despite its shortcomings.

He said, “Back in March 2022, the Peace and Security Council, then under the leadership of Ghana, started this Accra process. The first reflection forum was held in March 2022 here in Accra to demonstrate a multi-stakeholder approach as the best way to address unconstitutional changes in governments.”

He reiterated that, “it is necessary to restate that democracy, yes, with its shortcomings, remains the best form of governance.” This, he said, is because democracy is an inclusive system of government, indicating that “women, children, youth—all have a role to play in safeguarding democracy.”

The 2024 AU Reflection Forum is scheduled for March 18 to march19, 2024, in Accra.