7 Coups In 3 Years In Africa’s Corrupted Democracy

Africa’s democracy is hanging in the balance as coups sweep across the continent’s fragile and corrupted democracies. The high level of corruption which has led to the endemic poverty of the masses has often compelled the military to wrestle power from their leaders to restore hope and order in their countries.

Kwesi Pratt, a celebrated Ghanaian journalist, is on record to have indicated that, Africa would experience almost four new coups before 2025.

He made the pronouncement days after the Gabon coup. Prior to the coups in recent times.  A revered man of God, Archbishop Duncan Williams, also from Ghana, prophetically indicated in an interview prior to 2020 that Africa was going to experience several military takeovers from 2020 and that, if the current crop of leaders in Africa do not do the right things and transform their economies, they will be unseated through coups.

In the last three years, Africa has experienced seven coups. Thus, from 2020 to 2023, seven coups have unseated democratically elected leaders for varied reasons including mismanagement, corruption, and underdevelopment of the said countries. One other common trend is that the citizens of these countries have always jubilated in the excitement in each of these coups. The recent videos that followed the coups in Niger and Gabon are a testament to the excitement of the citizens.

7 Coups In 3 Years In Africa’s Corrupted Democracy

Let us take a careful look at the last seven coups that have hit Africa between 2020 and 2023

#1. 2023 Coup in Gabon

The military in Gabon staged a successful coup on 30th August 2023 after the country’s election results were delayed and then President Ali Bongo had been declared winner. The military said the election results were not credible and hence took over power. The Bongo family had held on to power for more than half a century.

#2. 2023 Coup in Niger

READ: List Of Military Coups In Africa Since 2020

On July 26, 2023, members of the presidential guard overthrow Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard, takes over.

On August 10, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS approved the deployment of a standby force “to restore constitutional order”, but still seeks a diplomatic solution.

Niger’s new military ruler proposes a transition period of no more than three years to hand back power to civilians.

#3. 2022 Coup in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso underwent two military coups last year.

In January 2022, mutinous soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba arrested President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

On September 30, army officers announced that they had dismissed Damiba. Captain Ibrahim Traore will become transitional president until a new presidential election is planned for July 2024.

#4. 2021 Coup in Sudan

After weeks of tension between the military and civilian leaders who had shared power since the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir, the armed forces led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a new coup on October 25.

On April 15, 2023, a war broke out between Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, killing at least 5,000.

#5. 2021 Coup in Guinea

In September, mutinous troops led by lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya took over in Guinea, arresting 83-year-old President Alpha Conde.

Doumbouya has pledged to return power to elected civilians by the end of 2024.

#6. & #7 2020, 2021 Coups in Mali

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown in August 2020.

In May 2021, the Malian military took over again after the civilian leaders of an interim government removed soldiers from some key posts.

The colonel vows to hold free elections by February 2024.

Corruption is a major challenge to democracy in Africa. It undermines the rule of law, weakens institutions, and erodes public trust but at the same time, it looks more like the only way to take out corrupt democratic leaders who rig elections and force themselves on the people against their will in illegitamte elections.

There are many factors that contribute to corruption in Africa, including:

• Poverty: Corruption can thrive in societies where people are struggling to make ends meet. When people are desperate, they may be more likely to engage in corrupt practices in order to get ahead.
• Weak institutions: Many African countries have weak institutions that are unable to effectively prevent or punish corruption. This is due to a number of factors, including lack of resources, political interference, and corruption within the institutions themselves.
• Lack of transparency: Corruption can also thrive in societies where there is a lack of transparency. When people do not know how decisions are being made or who is benefiting from them, it is more difficult to hold those in power accountable.
• Culture of impunity: In some African countries, there is a culture of impunity that allows corrupt individuals to get away with their crimes. This is often due to the fact that the wealthy and powerful have the means to bribe or intimidate those who would hold them accountable.

The effects of corruption on democracy in Africa are far-reaching. Corruption can:

• Distort the political process: When elections are not free and fair, or when the media is controlled by those in power, it is difficult for the will of the people to be expressed.
• Undermine the rule of law: Corruption can erode the rule of law, as those in power use their positions to enrich themselves and their cronies, rather than serving the public interest.
• Damage the economy: Corruption can damage the economy by diverting resources away from productive investments and creating an environment of uncertainty that discourages investment.
• Increase poverty: Corruption can increase poverty by making it difficult for businesses to operate and by denying ordinary citizens access to essential services.

There are a number of things that can be done to combat corruption in Africa, including:

• Strengthening institutions: African countries need to strengthen their institutions, such as the judiciary and the media, in order to create a more transparent and accountable environment.
• Promoting transparency: African countries need to promote transparency in government decision-making and financial transactions. This can be done by making public records more accessible and by requiring government officials to disclose their assets.
• Enacting anti-corruption laws: African countries need to enact and enforce strong anti-corruption laws. These laws should criminalize corrupt practices and provide for effective punishment of those who violate them.
• Building a culture of accountability: African countries need to build a culture of accountability in which corrupt individuals are held to account for their actions. This can be done by educating the public about the dangers of corruption and by creating mechanisms for citizens to report and investigate corruption.

Combating corruption is a complex and challenging task, but it is essential for the future of democracy in Africa. By taking steps to strengthen institutions, promote transparency, enact anti-corruption laws, and build a culture of accountability, African countries can create a more just and prosperous future for their citizens