"Around the world": "Spotlight on the third military coups"(last part)

Le 10 août 2012 par IVOIREBUSINESS - What comes around, goes around, and to some extent military speaking when political control of the military is not secured by the official standard

means, the danger of a military coup becomes endemic in any country of the world! Such coups have been a feature of politics in the third world, particularly in post-independence Africa, where military coups have been the only cup of tea over two decades from the sixties to the eighties such as: in "Congo"(1961), "TOGO"(1963),"Ghana"(1966), coup and "biafra" war in "NIGERIA" in the sixties led by "Ibo Rebel" "ODJUKU", who became later an asylum seeker in the "Ivory COAST" in the sixties; also the first military coup in the "IVORY Coast" led by general "Guei" in (December 1999)!To give a long list of military coups all over the world, wellknown political analyst "Pinkey" has identified in his achievements (book) almost (56) countries that have experienced military governments since (1960), the vast majority located in the third world!

Moreover, since the end of the Second World War, military intervention in politics has been the norm rather than the exception in the third world! («MAJOR MOTIVES FOR MILITARY COUPS"): Political analyst "S.finer" in his greatest achievements in (1998) argues that military coups occur when the military has both the opportunity and the disposition to intervene In the same trend, opportunities often arise when the civil authorities need the military to fight a war or act as a police force. But what of the initial disposition to intervene? In post-colonial AFRICA, as far as "S. FINER's approach is concerned, class interests are less important than ethnic affiliations. Many military coups are outgrowths of ethnic, religious or regional tension within society. For the first nigerian republic was destroyed by coups "Congo"(RDC), "Uganda", "Tchad", "LIBERIA"(1980 and 1985 and september 1990-,president "Samuel KANYON Doe" captured and mutilated), "Guinea bissau"(president "Nino" mutilated and killed through an unprecedented bloody coup in (2007-2008), "Ivory COAST"(decembrer 1999). Furthermore, institutional interests can also provoke military intervention. Also threat to the military budget, autonomy, living standards or prestige all provoke discontent in the armed forces. Six years after president doctor "Osagefo Kwame NKRUMA" was removed by a coup in "GHANA" in (1966), the military overthrew the reformist government of "doctor Busia", which has been attempting to curb the extravagant life style of military officers. In much of the third world, the military provides one of the few channels for ambitious young men of modest background to achieve status and financial reward in society. If these aspirations are frustrated, then a coup is more likely. Finally, a military coup may be a vehicule for personal ambition. Such motives are rarely sufficient in themselves to provoke a successful coup!In "UGANDA", the authoritarian and national nature of "Idi AMIN's government between (1971 and 1979) was clearly shaped by his drive to attain personal power. However, he was aided in his seizure of power from "Milton OBOTE" by popular resentment against the civilian leadership, ethnic rivalries, and widespread military concern over his decline position."To come to the conclusion, through an analogy of what is taking place in the "IVORY Coast", let's say head of state "ALLASANE OUAATARA" seems to take national reconciliation and unity for granted, even if he has already forstered the creation of a virtual peace and reconciliation commission one year ago! But the controversy goes on when more ivorian dissidents and activists are still behind the bars in the "IVORY Coast"... On the other hand, actions must speak louder than words, and "ALLASSANE OUATTARA" ought to restore full security, discipline and order in the country, through a political will backed up by strong actions, before it's too late....peace, unity and reconciliation are really at stake in the "IVORY Coast" right now! WAIT AND SEE!

(YVES T BOUAZO)