- Dr. Christian Rogg warns democracy is under threat, especially in West Africa amid extremism and insurgency
- Guinea-Bissau military officers announce seizure of power and suspension of presidential election
- AU, ECOWAS, and West African Elders Forum express concern over the coup
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr. Christian Rogg, has cautioned that democracy is under threat, particularly in West Africa, which continues to confront violent extremism and insurgency.
His comments came in the wake of a declaration by a group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau claiming to have seized power as the country awaited the results of Sunday’s presidential election. The officers later appeared on national television, announcing the suspension of the voting process. In response, the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum issued a joint statement expressing concern over the coup following the presidential and legislative elections held on 23rd November.
Discussing the implications of recent coups for Ghana and the wider region, Dr. Rogg said: “Democracy has been under threat across the world. In several countries that were once democratic, we have witnessed coups and the imposition of authoritarianism. Even in established democracies, rights have often been eroded.”
While recognising Ghana’s progress in consolidating its democratic gains, Dr. Rogg stressed that democracy must be continuously nurtured to reflect the aspirations of the people. He highlighted the ongoing constitutional review in Ghana as a vital opportunity to evaluate whether the nation’s democratic institutions remain aligned with contemporary realities. “Ghana’s progress is impressive, but it is important not to rest on those laurels and to explore what more can be done,” he said.
In a related development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently announced plans to deploy an initial 1,650 personnel from its standby force to address the growing terrorist threat across the subregion. According to Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, early-warning systems recorded 450 terrorist attacks and nearly 2,000 deaths in 2025 alone.
The statement urged the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm and reiterated: “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path. In this respect, we underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period.”
Speaking to Blessed Sogah on Upfront on Joy News, Dr. Rogg highlighted findings from the latest Afrobarometer survey, which showed a 20-point decline in democratic confidence among Ghanaians, describing the trend as alarming for democratic development. He also warned that terrorist activity, once largely limited to the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, has now spread throughout West Africa, posing a direct threat to regional stability.
