By Dr Simbarashe Tembo [1]
(University of Fort Hare)
The resurgence of military coups in Africa has caught some by surprise. The turn of the century had seen Africa making significant strides as far as democratic consolidation and constitutionalism are concerned. While military coups are not new to Africa, the recent military takeovers have presented scholars with ideological and legal headaches. Recent coups have been met with surprising levels of public support, particularly among the youth. Unlike previous coups that carried with them many negative connotations and were characterised as undemocratic power grabs, the recent coups have been framed as symbolic of a rejection of entrenched authoritarianism, corruption and economic stagnation, and imperial influences.
The cases of Zimbabwe (2017), Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022, 2022), Sudan (2021), Niger (2023), and Gabon (2023) illustrate a troubling trend where the public, especially the youth, have celebrated military takeovers as a means of breaking free from failing civilian administrations.
Given that military takeovers are not new in Africa, events surrounding these coups are a clear manifestation of people’s short memory. History has taught us that military governments are often more repressive than civilian governments that they overthrow. The questions, therefore, are, what informed the public euphoria associated with the recent coups and are coups a symptom of democratic failure or a rejection of democracy itself?? It is our opinion that African people are calling for a rethink of our democracy and governance systems.
Family dynasties, poverty and hopeless democracy
Africa has, since independence, proved to be a fertile ground for breeding long term presidents, in some cases presidents for life. There are countless leaders who have resisted democratic transition and have refused to relinquish power altogether, and others opting instead, to keep it within the family. This has created one of the core drivers of popular coups whose major purpose has been to prevent the persistence of political dynasties that resist democratic transition. The Gabon coup in August 2023 brought an end to over 50 years of rule by the Bongo family. Bongo family rule was characterised by allegations of electoral fraud and repression which fuelled general discontent among the masses. Similarly, in Equatorial Guinea, President Teodoro Obiang has held power since 1979, with a strong likelihood of passing the leadership to his son. In Togo President Eyadema was succeeded by his son in 2005. In Zimbabwe, there was talk of President Robert Mugabe planning to hand over power to his wife, Grace, before he was deposed through a military coup in 2017. This culture of political inheritance has for long undermined democratic principles and has created frustration among citizens who see no hope for change through the ballot. It is this loss of faith in democratic processes as a means of changing leadership that has resulted in popular coups d’etat. The fact that people support coups despite the history of military despotism in Africa does not mean that they are naïve. Instead, they believe that should the present military regime not bring about fundamental change, they will simply be providing the basis for another coup.
Popular coups have also been driven by the rampant poverty on the continent. Many African states enjoy abundant natural resources, but the majority of the people suffer from high levels of poverty and unemployment, particularly among the youth. In Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, where coups were largely supported by the youths, the state’s inability to create jobs and provide basic services fuelled the perception that democratic channels have failed to bring about meaningful change and improve people’s lives. When change is desperately needed, young people are likely to support radical change, even if it comes through unconstitutional means.
Misgovernance, weak institutions and insecurity
The majority of countries that have had coups recently have a long history of election manipulation and opposition suppression coupled with weak democratic institutions. There are generally powerful executives, weak electoral commissions, and judiciaries and legislatures that lack independence. In Guinea, for example, President Alpha Condé amended the constitution to extend his rule, leading to mass protests that culminated in a military takeover in 2021. It is our opinion that when citizens perceive democratic institutions as compromised, they become disillusioned with the democratic process itself, often viewing the military as a more decisive and quick force for change.
Armed rebel groups have been a cause for concern across Africa. Most civilian governments have not been able to decisively deal with the security threats posed by these armed groups. There is, therefore, a growing perception that civilian governments, including those elected democratically, are ineffective in addressing these security concerns. Terrorism and insurgencies led by jihadist groups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger were some of the major drivers of the coups in those countries. In these countries, the military capitalised on this insecurity, positioning itself as the only institution capable of restoring order.
The recent wave of military coups in Africa, therefore, stands as a stark reminder that democracy must deliver concrete results for the masses. History has shown that military regimes rarely bring long-term stability or economic transformation. Military regimes are more likely to restrict political freedoms and delay democratic reforms, which they so much promise when they rally the masses to support them. It is our view that the resurgence of coups d’etat signals a serious governance crisis rather than a rejection of democracy itself. The euphoria associated with military takeovers is not an endorsement of a military regime but simply a cry for help.
We need to rethink African democracy!
[1] Funding for this research was provided by SOAS, University of London under the ISPF-ODA Programme for the project, 'Coups d'etat and the opportunity for reconstruction and renewal’ led by Dr L Enonchong.
Cite as: S.Tembo, (2025) Popular coups d’état: a call to rethink democracy in Africa Available at: https://ancl-radc.org.za/blog/popular-coups-detat-a-call-to-rethink-democracy-in-africa(Accessed: [date] [month] [year])