Democracy remains the best form of government, but a democracy does not just become a democracy because it is called so. Democracy can only be sustained by upholding its tenets.
Democracy cannot stand without the people. When politicians recklessly abuse institutions of State and alienate the people in governance, as well as manipulate election results in order to keep themselves in power, perpetually, then, they have betrayed democracy, and whatever they see, they should take it.
I am convinced by the reason advanced by the military in Gabon for ousting Ali Bongo from power. An election that lacks credibility is worse than a military coup d’etat, and the military as patriots are in good order to step in to stop irresponsible politicians from abusing the Constitution and degrading institutions of State.
Gabon’s military have a more plausible argument for their action than the Nigerien military whom I still believe acted out of selfishness rather than in the interest of their people. If the Gabonese military would quickly organise a more credible election and hand over power to a President and parliament chosen by the people, then, they would have saved their country and they will have their place in history as heroes.
The Gabonese military has made it impossible for AU to make any attempts to intervene, unless they want to confirm that they shield election riggers, and that would rob them of any strand of credibility they may be holding onto.
