As the end of the year slowly drifts in, we would like to share a word of caution to our legal governments of the AES and all those fighting for the freedom of their people around the globe. The temptation is high to party, it is the end of the year after all, and there were awesome results throughout the year; we have worked hard and rightfully deserve a break. However, these loved governments, those who fight for the dignity of their people are in the target of the well-known predators who tend to use periods like these to strike. We can all remember the Christmas coups that have happened over the years! Just ask the late Henri Konan Bédié, president of Cote d’Ivoire, who was destituted by Robert Guéï on Christmas Eve 24 December 1999, in a coup which has entered the annals of history as the Christmas Eve’s coup. Guéï said that “Nous sommes venus balayer la maison” (we have come to sweep the house); he was himself swept out later on. We remember the Saint-Sylvestre coup d’état in the Central African Republic when army leader Jean-Bédel Bokassa and his military officers staged a coup against the government of President David Dacko. There are also coups that have happened in the early days of the new year. Even in Burkina Faso, there was the 1966 Upper Voltan coup d’état in Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) which took place on 3 January when Sangoulé Lamizana overthrew Maurice Yaméogo. Or like the ones by Gnassingbé Eyadéma in Togo that took out Sylvanus Olympio on January 13, 1963, and then Nicolas Grunitzky on the same day 4 years later in 1967. The examples are countless.

After the stunt the Nigerian army pulled, flying into Burkina Faso after the so-called coup attempt against Patrice Talon at the beginning of the month, the countries of the AES should be on high alert. Our South American brothers should also be on high alert. We are not saying that coups d’état only take place at the end of the year, as there are no dates for coups, just clear opportunities and weaknesses that the enemy (who is always standing ready) exploits. We are just saying to remain on high alert! When you are doing good for your people, wherever you are, you stand for something that the enemy hates… Remain alert at all times! Don’t stop the good you are doing, but remain alert!