Turkey Needs Peace, Not Turmoil

By Benedict Ahanonu
Following the failed attempt to overthrow Turkey’s elected government; the entire democratic world, has condemned the group of disgruntled soldiers which perpetrated the abominable act and also told President Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to overreact.
Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s foreign policy representative, while condemning the coup, called for “restraint and responsibility” from Turkish police and security forces.
She said: “We underline the need for a swift return to Turkey’s constitutional order with its checks and balances and stress the importance for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms to prevail.”
Meanwhile the Turkish President has accused a U.S.-based Islamic preacher, Fethullah Gulen, and an estranged ally, who lives in exile in rural Pennsylvania of being the mastermind of the attempted coup that left hundreds dead.
In a statement, Erdogan said: “They will pay a heavy price for their treason.”
Followers of the preacher have equally condemned the coup and even alleged that President Erdogan staged the coup, to find an excuse with which to muzzle the opposition.
The Muslim cleric who is accused of organizing the attempted coup in Turkey has also sparked questions about the motivation behind congressional travel and charter schools in the U.S.
However, Gulen has denied organizing or knowing about the coup attempt.
Meanwhile the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said that Turkey must file a formal request and provide evidence to justify extradition that will hold up in court after Turkey accused the U.S. of harbouring Gulen.
About 200 people, including dozens of coup backers, were killed and 2,839 military personnel have so far been arrested for involvement in the coup.
According to Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka,“it is important that the democratic principles to which President Erdogan and the legitimate Turkish government have referred to in recent hours are fulfilled.”
Arguably, Turkey’s recent return to more authoritarian leadership under Erdogan, who has resumed conflict with the country’s Kurds, pressured pro-opposition media and is seeking to rewrite the constitution to give more powers to the presidency seemed to have incensed many nationals who are used to free lifestyle in a secular but Islamic Turkey as guaranteed by the constitution.
While the coup attempt is wrong in the main especially as it is not in sync with present realities yet the fact that it occurred, gives credence to the level of disillusionment within Turkey, occasioned by the kind of extreme and strange policies of President Erdogan.
That Turkey, which was a united and peaceful country before his coming now looks like a divided country might not be a wild claim.
This then calls for patriotic and accommodating leadership that transcends religious leanings or appetite for despotism on the part of President Erdogan.
Turkey is a very important country specially situated between two continents; this also, is a testament to its strategic relevance in the geopolitics of Europe and Asia.
A good example is the role the country is playing as a crucial part of Europe’s plan to hold back the tide of migrants flowing from the Middle East.
The foregoing underscores the need for peace and not turmoil, unity and not division in this very historic and beautiful country which is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Therefore as President Erdogan proceeds on revenge mission, there is the need for restraint to avoid roping in innocent Turks.
Bad as it may appear, the present political upheavals in Turkey could still be an opportunity for real national reconciliation.
Mr. Benedict Ahanonu wrote from Abuja