SYPALA 2026: Rule of law, not military intervention, key to enforcing discipline – Kofi Bentil
Lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has rejected calls for greater military involvement in enforcing discipline in Africa, arguing that effective law enforcement and the rule of law, rather than military intervention, are critical to maintaining order.
Lawyer Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has dismissed proposals for the military to play a greater role in enforcing discipline in Africa, emphasizing that the rule of law and civilian law enforcement are crucial. Speaking at the SYPALA 2026 conference, Bentil pointed to developed countries where the military remains in barracks, maintaining discipline through effective civilian institutions rather than military intervention.
He challenged the notion that military involvement is necessary to address issues like traffic violations and disorder, arguing that civilian law enforcement systems in nations like the United States, Europe, and Norway have proven effective. Bentil pointed out that the military, often the most undisciplined institution in Africa, has a history of unconstitutional power seizures and abuses, questioning the credibility of its role in addressing indiscipline.
He stressed that governments exist to serve citizens under defined limits, warning against the misuse of power that can lead to oppression.
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