Tuggar Advocates Good Governance to Strengthen Democracy in Africa

Tuggar Advocates Good Governance to Strengthen Democracy in Africa

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has emphasized the urgent need for good governance as a cornerstone for strengthening democracy across the continent.

Tuggar noted this yesterday, in his address at the stakeholders engagement roundtable on the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) with West African Member States.

He articulated that the RPD is not just a policy framework but a collective commitment to address the pressing challenges facing democracies in West Africa, including eroding public trust and fragile institutions.

According to the Minister, RPD  is not merely a policy framework but a bold assertion that democracy in West Africa must be sustained, strengthened, and most importantly, shaped by us.

He noted the importance of African solutions to African challenges, urging member states to act together with conviction to ensure that democracy reflects the values and aspirations of the African people.

He further elaborated on the necessity of solidarity among West African nations, acknowledging the impact of external factors on regional stability.

“We are aware of the impact of exogenous circumstances on some of our neighbours, where the 2015-20 EU Sahel Strategy was a notable failure, and the broader consequences of failing to address insecurity across the Sahel are evident. It is also important to note the weaponisation of migration through laws that criminalise all ancillary activities in the migration economy,” Tuggar stated.

He highlighted the importance of grassroots representation and effective governance, stating; “Some of these factors include the failure to address poor governance at the local level and the lack of effective representation, particularly at the grassroots level.

“This is why it is crucial that we think long-term. We must begin now to systematically integrate the objectives of initiatives such as the RPD into our governance structures and regional conversations,” he said.

Tuggar therefore called for a long-term vision that integrates the RPD’s objectives into national governance structures, emphasizing that “only through consistency, political will, and regional ownership can we truly establish a culture of democracy that is resilient and inclusive.”

In his closing remarks, Tuggar urged stakeholders to endorse the RPD as a regionally owned instrument for democratic reform and to align their national governance agendas with its principles.

“Let this be the moment we recommit to the democratic dream—not as an imported idea, but as an African legacy that values voice, dignity, equity, and accountability,” he appealed.