The African Union (AU) Chair and Benin president, Thomas Boni Yayi, on Wednesday called on Africans to break the jinx of coups and war and enthrone democracy, the only way to change a legitimate government. Yayi was speaking in Bujumbura while on a brief visit to Burundi as part of a 12-nation tour of Eastern and Southern Africa.
During the tour, Yayi is expected to sensitize African leaders on the need for a lasting peace on the continent.
'We are unanimous in wanting peace, stability and all of us advocate democracy from the polls and not from weapons,' President Yayi said, stressing that 'military coups should be permanently banned.'
The AU chair also addressed the military destabilization of Mali since jihadists seized northern Mali in April last year, saying the insurgency could spread beyond countries of the West African region.
'We requested assistance from NATO and France,' Yayi said, adding that both partners had responded positively.
From Bujumbura, Yayi will visit neighboring Rwanda in continuation of his regional tour.
Pana 18/01/2013