By Sean Mueck
West and Central Africa have faced eight military coups since 2020. While coups throughout Africa are not a new phenomenon, the increasing rate still stands in unprecedented territory. As social unrest, domestic and geopolitical tensions rise throughout the region for numerous economic and social reasons, coups have taken a new, more powerful approach with much heavier backing from local citizens.
Sierra Leone
Despite not falling to insurgents, the 2023 November 26th attack on Sierra Leone’s capital of Freetown has stood as one of the most polarizing attacks in recent memory. At around 4:30 in the morning, groups of militants attacked an armory and multiple prisons, which subsequently freed the jailed population. 19 individuals were arrested in total— 14 of whom were actively serving in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Despite no certified motives, the attempted subversion of the government came after the reelection of current President Julius Maada Bio, which raised questions from his opponents. Sierra Leone has also faced severe economic instability recently, with the inflation rising to 44.81%. The cost of food has risen 60.34%, and fierce citizen turmoil has spread because residents have felt the government has done an insignificant job aiding in the crisis. Despite Sierra Leone still upholding democracy, the country is moving into dangerous times as growing political unrest could spark violence once again throughout the country.
Gabon
The most recent and high profile successful coup took place in Gabon last August when former president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, was ousted from power after being announced the winner of the presidential election for the 3rd consecutive time with a total of 64.27% of the vote. The coup brought an end to the Bongo family’s rule of the nation, which lasted for close to 56 years after the country gained independence from France in 1960. The coup took place in the capital city of Libreville, with soldiers confirming the takeover on the state’s television. Gabon has found a new transitional president: General Brice Oligui Nguema, who helped lead the overthrow of Ali Bongo. Gabon has been suspended from the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States. The U.S. State Department has also pulled foreign assistance from the nation. Nguema has assured to uphold and maintain “free, transparent and credible elections,” while the junta has stated it will hold presidential elections in August 2025.
Niger
Just one month before Gabon, Niger also underwent its very own transfer of power. During July of last year, the country’s presidential guard detained president Mohamed Bazoum, putting him on house arrest. General of the Presidential Guard Abdourahamane Tchiani took power. The de facto government has suspended the constitution and closed the border. The Economic Community of Western African States initially imposed sanctions and a no fly zone but has been dialing back in an attempt to mediate peace with the new de facto government.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has suffered two coups since 2022. The first took place in January of the same year as members of the military clashed with defenses outside the presidential residences in the capital city Ouagadougou. President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was ousted from his position and was detained. After the seizing of power, military officials announced the dissolution of the parliament, government and constitution. Military officer, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, took power but was later ousted in September 2022. Damiba was removed over his failure to quell Jihadist insurgents and other separate forces who controlled 40% of the country. Military officer Ibrahim Traoré took power and has been the interim president since. Despite promising to transition the country to democracy, there has become recent concern over another coup potentially happening in the near future. Growing political and military instability has recently fueled even more unrest. Traoré has continued to fight Jihadist insurgents with ties to al-Qaeda and ISIS, which has culminated in attacks where numerous soldiers from both sides have died. Burkina Faso’s future is shaky with the country teetering on full-scale war with insurgents, while simultaneously attempting to patch together the interim government.
Guinea
On September 5th, 2021, the Republic of Guinea Armed Forces seized control over the country after capturing the capital city of Conakry and the Sekhoutoureah Presidential Palace. Special forces commander, Mamady Doumbouya, took control of the country, announcing on national television the dissolution of the constitution and previous democratic government. The coup was fueled by large-scale social unrest and inequality after most of the country’s population was not individually feeling the financial benefits of the vast natural resources that were boosting the national economy.
Chad
From April 11th to May 9th, 2021, Chad underwent a large-scale conflict which resulted in the death of president Idriss Déby, who seized power of the country after the 1990 coup d’état in the country. Clashes first began between the government and the rebel group Front for Change and Change and Concord in the northern regions of Chad. Déby was killed in a strike after visiting troops in the north. His son, Mahamat Déby, took control over the interim government and was elected president of the country in May of this year after gaining 61% of the vote. Déby will continue to reign and will further add to the nearly 35 year control his family previously had.
Mali
On August 18th, 2020, breakaway soldiers in the Malian Armed Forces attacked the Soundiata military base in Kati. The base was seized and soldiers began moving towards the capital city, Bamako, where president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was arrested. Keïta resigned and promptly dissolved the government. Military officer Bah N’daw took control of the government but was later ousted from the position in a 2021 coup, which saw vice president Assimi Goïta take control with help of the Malian Military. Goïta became the new interim leader after 3 successful coup d’etat in 10 years. Mali now faces an uncertain future as the country has had severe clashes with Islamic militants as well. The United Kingdom pulled soldiers aiding against Islamic militants from the country, citing instability. Mali has asked the United Nation to remove their 12,000 peacekeepers stationed in the country who have been fighting the militants.
All of these countries have been part of the phenomenon known as the “coup belt.” The countries facing the coup stretch continuously from the eastern coast, bordering the Red Sea to the western coast, bordering the Atlantic ocean. Despite all having different factors for uprisings, political instability, military instability, economic and social injustice stand as strong catalysts for the coups taking place in Central Western Africa.
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