The Trust Imperative: Beyond Reshuffling Military Architecture to Building Citizen Trust for Lasting Stability
By Ishola Ayodele
Recent events in West Africa have seen countries retire generals and reshuffle their military architectures in response to a wave of military coups. While such reshuffling might provide temporary reassurance, it falls short of addressing the underlying issues that fuel political unrest. This approach represents the ‘obvious solution,’ which often neglects relevant factors and nuances in problem-solving.
The root cause of the chaos and youth-led revolts in Africa is a lack of trust in the older generations of African leaders. As former President Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso once said, “while revolutionaries as individuals can be murdered, you cannot kill ideas.” It’s evident that a deeper approach is necessary to address these root causes and ensure lasting stability. This approach is what we call the ‘Practical Solution.’
Let’s explore practical solutions that can help rebuild trust and calm political unrest.
Purposeful Leadership:
At the core of building trust lies purposeful leadership. African leaders must move away from self-centered approaches and embrace the spirit of servitude, known as the servant leader mentality. Leaders like President Paul Biya of Cameroon and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda must demonstrate a genuine commitment to the betterment of their nations. When leaders prioritize the common good over personal gain, citizens begin to trust that their interests are genuinely represented. Research shows that purpose-driven leadership enhances organizational performance and trust among employees, and the same principle applies at the national level.
Good Governance:
The cornerstone of stability is good governance. By implementing fair and equitable policies that benefit all citizens, leaders can instill confidence that their actions are guided by a sense of justice. For instance, Burkina Faso’s coup in 2022 was largely attributed to President Roch Kabore’s failure to contain violence by Islamist militants. Had governance prioritized security and welfare, the environment for political unrest might have been diffused.
Probity and Transparency:
Corruption erodes trust like termites devouring the foundation of a once-sturdy house. Leaders must demonstrate unimpeachable integrity and hold themselves to the highest ethical standards. Transparent practices, coupled with stringent anti-corruption measures, foster trust that public funds are being used for the common good. The Guinea coup of 2021, triggered by President Alpha Conde’s attempt to extend his term through constitutional changes, underscores the importance of leaders maintaining transparency and avoiding actions that undermine public trust.
Strategic Communication:
Effective communication bridges the gap between leaders and citizens. When leaders openly share their intentions, decisions, and policies, citizens feel engaged and informed. This can be seen in Chad’s case in 2021 when the military council took power following President Idriss Deby’s death. Transparent communication during the transition reassured the public and prevented widespread unrest.
In Conclusion:
The trust imperative demands that African leaders move beyond the surface-level reshuffling of defense portfolios and delve into the core factors that foster stability. By embracing purposeful leadership, good governance, probity, transparency, and strategic communication, they can build an environment where trust flourishes. This, in turn, will lead to nations that are resilient against coups, united in purpose, and built on the foundations of lasting stability. It’s a transformative approach that heralds an era of true progress and shared prosperity for West Africa and beyond.
Ishola Ayodele is a specialist in ‘Message Engineering’.
