Kwaw Kese’s ‘coup tweet’ that has triggered reactions

Ghanaian musician Kwaw Kese has in a tweet commented on the ongoing political turmoil in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, expressing his hopes that Ghanaian politicians are taking note of the regional instability.

The West African region has been grappling with numerous challenges in recent times, with political instability and armed conflicts affecting several countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

On May 24, 2021, Mali’s President, Bah N’daw, Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane and Minister of Defence, Souleymane Doucoure were captured by the Malian Army led by Vice President, Assimi Goita as the head of the junta. They subsequently announced that N’daw and OUane were stripped of their powers pending new general elections to be held in 2022.

In September 2022, a coup d'etat took place in Burkina Faso, barely 10 months after the last one that removed democratically elected Christian Roch Marc Kabore from power. Reports of heavy artillery gunfire in the wee hours of September 30 and heavy military presence in parts of the capital Ouagadougou raised fears of a takeover.

On July 26, 2023, soldiers appeared on national TV in Niger to announce the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum. The officials numbering 10 belonged to different institutions of the security architecture reading by their uniforms.

The announcer identified as Col. Major Amadou Abdramane, wearing a blue uniform was seated as the nine others lined up behind him. The announcement aside from confirming the ouster of Bazoum, dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions, and closed the country's borders.

Reacting to this, Kwaw Kese tweeted: “Whatever is happening in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is not too far away from Ghana. I hope our politicians are taking notes.”

His tweet sighted by GhanaWeb has garnered numerous reactions. Below are a few.

Ghanaians our temper is friendly. We no angry reach like that. For now make the old men still enjoy make we continue dey clap for them

— SOMO (@airtornam) August 2, 2023

None of these countries have the luxury that we have to choose. Unfortunately, we always choose the worse of the two evil since 1992. If we do away with them for just one term, they will not take our votes for granted. Our problem is us!

— ????????Neutral ???????????? (@SilentVoiceofG1) August 2, 2023

we have so many people in our society today who have nothing to lose. We know them, and where they live. So, if we think that we can leave so many people out of the fruits of development and nation-building and somehow keep it stable,we live to see for ourselves. A word to a wise

— Eturu.™® (@oheek1) August 2, 2023

U same person go talk like this on social media n when the worse happens, u go run away go abroad n the fools supporting u here with their broke self that can't afford even lorry fare to their home town will suffer the consequences. Smh

— maxwell osei (AK-0000979) (@MaxOseiJnr) August 2, 2023

Democracy doesn't exist in those countries as they made us think. France has always influence their elections over there, they get their puppets in power so they can control them. One President can be ruling the country for soo many years, citizens vote doesn't count over there.

— ???????????????????????????????? (@RichieCharger) August 2, 2023