The Growing Support for Military Coups in Africa: Understanding the Reasons

The support for military coups and military rule is on the rise in parts of Africa, with six African nations experiencing seven coups or attempted coups since August 2020. Researchers attribute this rise to factors such as mismanagement, corruption, economic crisis, state weakness, and the spread of extremist groups. However, what sets Africa apart is the public support for military rule and the growing acceptance of it as a form of government. A quantitative analysis using Afrobarometer survey data reveals that support for military rule has doubled from 11.6% to 22.3% since 2000. The study suggests that in sub-Saharan Africa, support for military rule is driven by dissatisfaction with institutional performance and economic management, while in North Africa, authoritarian personality plays a larger role. Higher levels of education are associated with higher levels of democratic endorsement. If political and economic solutions are not found, military coups in the region are likely to increase.