Atwoli calls for immediate release of besieged Guniea president Alpha Conde
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who doubles up as the President of the Organization of African Trade Union, has called for the immediate intervention of the African Union in securing the release of Guinea-Conakry President Alpha Conde and the restoration of civilian rule in the West African nation.
The trade unionist has termed the spate in coup d'etat attempts as uncouth, primitive and crude methods that were employed in yesteryears to obtain power. In his statement, Atwoli beseechs Africans to embrace democracy, freedom of speech, peace and tolerance. He has discouraged Africans from resorting to civil unrest, terming it an ill-advised method, to gain power.
"Issues of Coup d'etat in the African continent are primitive, uncouth and crude methods used in the yesteryears to gain power, but considering we have over time embraced democracy, freedom of speech and tolerance- such ill-advised methods should not be encouraged or used to gain power," Atwoli notes.
The veteran trade unionist has implored on the leadership of the African Union to consolidate support from other African states and regional communities including ECOWAS and Regional Economic Communities to intervene and restore democracy in Guinea-Conakry.
Atwoli has tasked the unions to ensure that besieged President Conde is released and given the liberty to enjoy his freedoms as dictated by democracy.
In his letter undersigned as the President of the Organization of African Trade Union, Atwoli says he appreciates the fact that the African continent is alive to the power challenges as such faced in Guinea-Conakry, but insists that they be addressed by a constitutional means and not coups.
