Timi Frank Blames African Leadership Failures for Guinea-Bissau Coup

Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has condemned the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau, while placing significant blame on African political leaders for allowing the conditions that enable such takeovers.

In a statement released Thursday in Abuja, Frank described the ousting of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló as a grave violation of democratic norms. However, he argued that the deeper issue lies in the chronic failures of governance across the continent, which have eroded public trust and emboldened military actors.

Now serving as a Senior Advisor to the U.S.-based Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), Frank emphasized that while coups are inherently unlawful and unacceptable, they are often the consequence of systemic political decay. “Military rule is never a solution,” he stated, “but we must confront the reasons why soldiers feel empowered to seize power in the first place.”

He pointed to widespread electoral malpractice, constitutional tampering, and the suppression of dissent as key drivers of instability. Frank criticized regional organizations like the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS for their selective outrage quick to denounce coups, yet silent on the democratic backsliding that often precedes them.

“How can these bodies claim moral authority when they routinely ignore rigged elections and illegal term extensions?” he asked. “Democracy must be safeguarded from the ground up not just after it has been dismantled.”

Frank urged Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers to immediately begin a transition process, calling for the restoration of civilian governance through credible elections within six months. He also appealed to international partners, including the United States, to impose sanctions on leaders who undermine democratic institutions through manipulation and authoritarianism.

Reflecting on the founding vision of the African Union, Frank called for a return to the ideals of unity, accountability, and shared progress championed by African icons like Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Jomo Kenyatta. “The dream of a united Africa, one passport, one currency, one future, has been derailed by leaders who have lost their moral compass,” he lamented.

He concluded with a stark warning: “Political coups through stolen elections and constitutional abuse are just as dangerous as military ones. Until African leaders begin to honor the will of the people, the continent will remain vulnerable to instability.”