The Surge of Coups in Africa: Unraveling the Causes

Recent coups in Africa, such as in Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, highlight the diverse factors driving these undemocratic transitions of power, including history, foreign intervention, economics, and politicization of the military. While some coups are driven by security threats or a desire for democratic reforms, others, like Gabon's, are continuity coups that maintain the ruling elite's control over resources. Precedent plays a significant role in coup attempts, and regions with a history of coups are more likely to experience future attempts. Coups are part of a broader global trend away from democracy, with autogolpes and erosion of democratic institutions also occurring. The struggle for influence between the West and authoritarian governments like Russia and China further complicates the situation. Polarization and lack of sustained investment in institutions contribute to democratic failure, particularly in countries dependent on foreign aid.