Africa has experienced several coups since August 2020, since then armed officers have decided to take over, most recently with President Ali Bongo of Gabon.
Gabon
On Wednesday, August 30, a group of senior Gabonese military officers appeared on national television and announced that they had taken over power from President Ali Bongo, hours after he was announced to have won the election for the third time.
The army officers declared General Brice Oligui Nguema as the transitional president and announced that all borders would remain closed till further notice.
According to the military group, the coup seeks to resolve the post-election crisis which if disregarded would have seen Bongo extend his family’s 53 years in power.
Burkina Faso
On January 24, 2022, President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was ousted from power by the military, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was inaugurated president in February.
On September 30, Damiba was in turn dismissed from his position by the military, Captain Ibrahim Traoré was invested as transitional president until a presidential election scheduled for July 2024.
Sudan
After weeks of tension between the military and civilian leaders who had shared power since the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir, the armed forces led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stage a new coup on October 25.
On April 15, 2023, a war breaks out between Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, killing at least 5,000.
Guinea
In September, mutinous troops led by lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya take over in Guinea, arresting 83-year-old President Alpha Conde.
Doumbouya has pledged to return power to elected civilians by the end of 2024.
Mali (two coups in 9 months)
On August 18, 2020, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown by the military, a transitional government was formed in October.
But on May 24, 2021, the military arrested the president and the Prime Minister. Colonel Assimi Goïta was inaugurated in June as transitional president.
The junta has committed to returning the place to civilians after the elections scheduled for February 2024.
Niger
On July 26, 2023, the military announced that they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdourahamane Tiani becomes the new strongman of the country.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on August 10 its intention to deploy a regional force to “restore constitutional order”, while continuing to favor the diplomatic route.
The military proposes a transition period of “three years” maximum before returning power to civilians.
