Turkey's abortive coup

We rejoice at the failure of the attempted coup in Turkey, thwarted with the help of the people, the first of its kind perhaps in recent times when the armed coup-makers submitted to an unarmed public. We express our solidarity with the Turkish people and compliment them for keeping high the flag of democracy in their country. And while we rejoice at their victory we share with them the agony of the lives lost in the incident. 

It must be stated without ambiguity that the military has no role in politics whatsoever in any country; attempting to overthrow an elected government is no way of protecting democracy – ostensibly the motivation that stimulated the coup leaders in Turkey to embark on the unsuccessful venture. 

The failed coup, we are sure, will strengthen Recep Tayyip Erdogan's hands which we hope will encourage him to be more inclusive and consensual in governing the country. So far, however, it must be said that Erdogan's method of running the country has left much to be desired. His attempt to consolidate power through constitutional amendments, crackdown on free press and redesigning the high courts, more than 2,700 judges have been dismissed immediately after the coup, betray his tendency to relapse into more autocratic mode of governance.  

It is our hope that Erdogan will use this opportunity to give democracy in Turkey true meaning. Democracy cannot work if there is a prevalence of absolute power in the hands of one individual, which apparently Erdogan is trying to achieve. One of the essential prerequisites for democracy to flourish is to ensure checks and balance between all the organs of the state, more so when there is absence of a strong opposition.