Africa’s New Era of Coups: What Can We Learn from the Past?

Military coups are on the rise in Africa, with recent takeovers in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Guinea. These regimes suppress dissent and the media, often justifying their actions as necessary for public safety. While some see external influences, particularly Russia, as driving this shift, others attribute it to long-standing issues like corruption and poverty. Historically, military regimes in Africa have blended governance with military values, emphasizing order and discipline. However, they rarely achieved their utopian goals and their regimes often led to authoritarianism. The current wave of coups signals a return to militarism, reminiscent of Cold War-era politics. Despite initial promises to restore civilian rule, many military regimes tend to extend their power, suggesting they may be here to stay. If we are to understand what the current trend of military coups will look like, it might be insightful to examine the continent’s past.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION