Omar Beyai, executive member of Gambia Action Party, has suggested that in order to address military coups in Africa the head of states must respect the two-term limit in their constitution and display good governance.

Speaking exclusively to Gambiana, he said: “there are two types of coups. We have the military coup which is military takeover and the constitutional coup which is done by the politicians. Like for example, if you meddle with the constitution which talks about the term-limit. So, if the constitution is talking about two terms and you want to mess up everything and want to go for a third term it would not work.

“And also if you are not serving the interest of the people, there will be an uprising. For the military overthrow is when the system is not working at all and the people are suffering, then the military will step in.”

“So, the military takeovers in Africa are as a result of bad governance and violating the constitution. And in order to stop coups there should be good governance and respect for the constitutions. After two terms go and someone can step in,” he added.

His comment came in the wake of a series of coups in West Africa by the army after corrupt civilian leaders were accused of not serving the interests of their people.

From Mali to Gabon, the military has taken over blaming former colonial power France of meddling in their internal affairs.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba