"Africa's Proliferating Coups: Unraveling the Continent's Political Landscape"

Coups have become increasingly popular in Africa, with 10 attempted coups occurring in West and Central Africa since 2020. Citizens in these countries have shown support for military takeovers, expressing frustration with civilian leaders who they feel do not represent their interests. The decline in the quality of living, rising costs of living, and economic challenges have made people question the benefits of democracy. Former French colonies have been particularly susceptible to coups, with anti-French rhetoric being used to gain popular support. However, experts caution against solely blaming external factors, emphasizing that the lack of democratic dividends and failure to improve citizens' lives have contributed to the acceptance of coups.