According to a televised address spreading on social media, a group of military officers in Gabon declared on Wednesday that they had taken control of the country’s power, ousting President Ali Bongo. 

The military claimed that they represented the armed forces, and the officers declared on the live broadcast that the election results were cancelled, borders closed, and state institutions dissolved.

The Bongo’s family has been in power in Gabon for more than half a century, and the mutiny seeks to end the elongation of the family’s reign.

It is glaringly alarming that the coup has been a reoccurring nightmare in Africa, and it is haunting the continent’s democracy. 

In July 2023, barely a month before the coup in Gabon. Niger’s President, Mohamed Bazoum was removed by the members of his own presidential guard. The guards state that they want to “prevent further economic sabotage”. 

A Disturbing Timeline:

Over the last few years, Africa has been rocked by a series of coups that have thrown nations into turmoil:

Sudan: On April 11, 2019, Sudan’s military ousted its civilian president, Omar al-Bashir from power, bringing an end to his 30-year rule in Sudan. The military also suspended the country’s constitution, closed its borders and airspace, and imposed a three-month state of emergency. 

Mali (2020): Mali, a country no stranger to coups, witnessed a mutiny in August 2020. This led to the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keta and the dissolution of the government, marking the second coup in under a decade.

Mali (2021): Just nine months after the previous coup, Mali fell victim to another coup in May 2021, perpetuating political instability and economic hardship.

Tunisia (2021): In a twist, President Kais Saied executed what is described as a “self-coup” in July 2021, suspending the parliament and removing its members’ immunity.

Guinea (2021): In September 2021, Alpha Condé, the president of Guinea, was taken prisoner by the military, effectively dissolving the government and the constitution.

Sudan (2021): General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a coup against the Sudanese government in October 2021, detaining top officials.

Burkina Faso (2022): January 2022 witnessed yet another coup, with President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré removed from office.

Burkina Faso (2022): In September 2022, another coup rocked Burkina Faso, targeting Interim President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba due to his perceived failure to address the nation’s Islamist insurgency.

Niger (2023): The most recent coup, in July 2023, saw the presidential guard detain President Mohamed Bazoum, with the guard commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, assuming control.

And then the Gabonese president was ousted. 

Africa’s coup crisis poses multifaceted challenges:

Erosion of Democracy: Coups undermine democratic institutions, plunging nations into a cycle of instability, insecurity, and political uncertainty. These upheavals challenge the very essence of democratic governance, the rule of law, and the respect for constitutional norms.

Human Rights Abuses: Coups often lead to human rights violations, with reports of detentions, torture, and violence against civilians. The suspension of democratic processes can exacerbate these abuses.

Economic Impact: Political turmoil disrupts economic activities, foreign investments, and trade. The uncertainty surrounding coups stifles economic growth and development, pushing nations deeper into poverty.

Regional Destabilisation: Coups don’t respect borders. The instability caused by coups can spill over into neighbouring countries, leading to refugee flows, border tensions, and regional security challenges.

Lessons for Other African Countries:

The surge in coups across Africa serves as a stern warning to other nations on the continent:

The African Union Peace and Security Council announced on Thursday that it had suspended Gabon because the country’s military had overthrown the Ali Bongo-led government. 

The union condemns the act and calls for the immediate release of power to civilians. The big question is, What are the citizens of Gabon saying? What is the essence of democracy if the citizens cannot access its dividends? 

Similar to this, other African nations like Rwanda and Cameroon abruptly dismissed 1, 029 senior officers from their militaries.

The question still remains: what are they afraid of? While this may seem like a solution to the military invasion, it is definitely temporary and of course, will not hold water. 

There needs to be a total overhaul of governance approach in Africa. Governance that is peoples centred would never laughed when it is being overthrown. 

What African Leaders Must Do.  

Strengthen Democratic Institutions: Strong democratic institutions, including transparent electoral processes, an independent judiciary, and a free press, are vital safeguards against coups. African nations must invest in these institutions to uphold democracy.

Address Socioeconomic Grievances: Many coups have roots in socioeconomic grievances, such as poverty, corruption, and inequality. Addressing these issues can mitigate the conditions that breed political instability.

Engage in Conflict Resolution: Conflicts and insurgencies are often exploited by coup plotters. African nations must prioritise peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent power vacuums.

Regional Cooperation: Regional organisations like the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and SADC should play a more proactive role in preventing coups, enforcing democratic norms, and imposing sanctions when necessary.

International Engagement: The international community must continue to support African nations in their efforts to build strong democratic institutions and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Africa’s coup crisis is a wake-up call for the continent and the world. The surge in coups threatens the hard-won gains of democracy and stability, but it also presents an opportunity for African nations to strengthen their commitment to democratic governance, socioeconomic development, and regional cooperation. As the continent grapples with this crisis, the lessons learned from each coup must be used to chart a course toward a more stable and democratic future for Africa.