United States Africa Command, Ghana (AFRICOM), a group campaigning for a single military base for the continent of Africa, wants the United Nations to send 20,000 peacekeepers to Ghana ahead of the 2020 elections.
A letter addressed to the UN and signed by Abednego Rawlings Orstin, president of AFRICOM Ghana, said “As the largest organization in the world that ensures peace and security in member countries, we, the United States Africa Command, Ghana, have picked up signals that the upcoming elections in Ghana may turn violent as the two main political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party intend to unleash their private militia on innocent Ghanaians on the election day,”
According to Mr Rawlings, Ghana is on the brink of chaos due to the actions of these two main parties , adding “We are, therefore, appealing to the United Nations to send over Twenty Thousand Foreign Military Officers a month before the General Elections to protect innocent civilians who may be at the mercy of these political thugs”
He was of the view that with the presence of the over twenty thousand United Nations or foreign military officers in Ghana during the 2020 elections, the wish of Ghanaians to choose a leader to lead them will surely be free and fair.
“The world must consider our petition with all seriousness before the unthinkable (civil war) happens. Both political parties are arming their militant wings ahead of the 7th December 2020 elections. The most shocking aspect is that the parties value these thugs more than the statutory security agencies like the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, etc.” Mr Orstin said.
According to him, the country does not need any budget for the presence of the UN officers adding that Ghana depends on donor support. “So no Nation that wants to assist Ghana with its military will request for anything and so Ghanaians must not delay the process at all”.
Below is the full letter:
Dear Sir/Madam,
GHANA NEEDS OVER 20,000 FOREIGN MILITARY OFFICERS TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS COME 7TH DECEMBER 2020
Warm greetings to you from the staff and managements of the UNITED STATES AFRICOM GHANA.
We wish to introduce you to our organization, United States Africa Command, Ghana whose focus is to canvass for a single military base for the continent of Africa.
As the largest organization in the world that ensures peace and security in member countries, we, the United States Africa Command, Ghana, have picked up signals that the upcoming elections in Ghana may turn violent as the two main political parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party intend to unleash their private militia on innocent Ghanaians on the election day.
Ghana is on the brink of chaos due to the actions of these two main parties. We are, therefore, appealing to the United Nations to send over Twenty Thousand Foreign Military Officers a month before the General Elections to protect innocent civilians who may be at the mercy of these political thugs.
With the presence of the over twenty thousand United Nations or foreign military officers in Ghana during the 2020 elections, the wish of Ghanaians to choose a leader to lead them will surely be free and fair.
The world must consider our petition with all seriousness before the unthinkable (civil war) happens. Both political parties are arming their militant wings ahead of the 7th December 2020 elections. The most shocking aspect is that the parties value these thugs more than the statutory security agencies like the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, etc.
The main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) is accusing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of recruiting their activists (NPP) into the various security establishments to do their bidding during the elections and this is creating tension in the country.
Indeed, a recent disturbance which was caused during the by-election at Ayawaso-West Wuogon on 31st March 2019, confirms the fears by the NDC that some National Security Operatives are members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
After the incident which recorded some brutalities, a Committee of Enquiry was setup and paid with state money to present findings on the chaotic incidents. After a month of investigations, the Committee found some people, including Ministers of State and Security Officers guilty but none of them has been punished contrary to the recommendations of the Committee.
We, the United States Africa Command, Ghana, will never allow these thugs to disturb the peace and stability we are enjoying in the country and will make sure that the will of the people prevails in the upcoming election. These two political parties cannot deny the will and wishes of the average Ghanaian come 2020 General Elections.
The main reason for the request for foreign military officers in the country is to allow them to work with all the security agencies so that no political party influences local security agencies to manipulate or rig the 7th December 2020 elections.
Yours Faithfully,
ABEDNEGO RAWLINGS ORSTIN
(PRESIDENT – UNITED STATES AFRICA COMMAND, GHANA)
ATTN:
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
PERMANENT MEMBERS:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
UNITED KINGDOM
FRANCE
RUSSIA
CHINA
NON- PERMANENT MEMBERS
BELGIUM
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ESTONIA
GERMANY
INDONISIA
NIGER
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
SOUTH AFRICA
TUNISA
VIETNAM
NATIONS TO SUPPORT GHANA WITH THEIR MILITARY
NETHERLANDS
ITALY
JAPAN
SAUDI ARABIA
CHECH REPUBLIC
POLAND
DENMARK
STATE OF ISRAEL