Coups in Africa: When Leadership is a Burden

Since 1950, there have been 486 attempted or successful military coups worldwide, with Africa accounting for the highest number at 214. More than 100 of these attempts have been successful, meaning that almost every African country has experienced at least one coup in its history, with some experiencing several.

In the past three years alone, there have been seven coups. The recent coups in Gabon and Niger have raised concerns about the impact of leadership on the region’s instability and insecurity, as well as the future of democracy and development in Africa.

A coup is the abrupt and unlawful takeover of power from a legitimate government, typically orchestrated by a group, often the military. The nature of a coup can range from violent to peaceful, depending on the degree of resistance and the support received from the citizens and international community.

There is not a straightforward explanation for the frequent occurrence of coups in Africa. However, the jubilant reactions of citizens following military interventions suggest that poor leadership and deliberate constitutional suppression to perpetuate a ruling class could be significant contributing factors.

A significant number of African leaders are met with dissatisfaction and opposition from their citizens due to subpar performance…