Coups in Africa: When Leadership is a Burden
The frequent occurrence of coups can be attributed to ineffective leadership and an insatiable desire for power.
Since 1950, there have been 486 attempted or successful military coups worldwide, with Africa accounting for the highest number at 214. More than 100 of these attempts have been successful, meaning that almost every African country has experienced at least one coup in its history, with some experiencing several.
In the past three years alone, there have been seven coups. The recent coups in Gabon and Niger have raised concerns about the impact of leadership on the region’s instability and insecurity, as well as the future of democracy and development in Africa.
A coup is the abrupt and unlawful takeover of power from a legitimate government, typically orchestrated by a group, often the military. The nature of a coup can range from violent to peaceful, depending on the degree of resistance and the support received from the citizens and international community.
There is not a straightforward explanation for the frequent occurrence of coups in Africa. However, the jubilant reactions of citizens following military interventions suggest that poor leadership and deliberate constitutional suppression to perpetuate a ruling class could be significant contributing factors.
A significant number of African leaders are met with dissatisfaction and opposition from their citizens due to subpar performance, autocratic behaviors, or a lack of accountability. There are instances where these leaders attempt to prolong their tenure beyond constitutional boundaries by altering the constitution, manipulating electoral outcomes, or stifling opposition. Such actions trigger resistance from various groups, including the military.
In Gabon, the family of the deposed President Ali Bongo had been in power for 56 years, treating the country as if it were their private property. When he was declared the winner in a highly contested election, the military intervention that subsequently overthrew him was greeted with widespread joy. A similar scenario unfolded in Guinea, where the president was removed from power for his attempts to cling to his position through a disputed election and constitutional manipulation to extend his rule.
Many African nations grapple with issues such as poor governance, corruption, and autocracy. These challenges compromise the legitimacy of the government, diminish public trust, and impede economic and social progress. Much of the citizenry often view coups as a means to remove ineffective leaders or regimes, reinstate democracy and accountability, or combat corruption and injustice. For instance, the military takeover in Mali in 2020 was largely attributed to allegations of corruption against Ibrahim Keita’s administration.
African nations are often confronted with challenges such as limited economic growth, poverty, inequality, unemployment, poor policies, and insecurity. These issues impact the quality of life for millions of individuals, fostering social and political instability. Economic crises or ongoing insecurity can sometimes trigger coups. In Niger, escalating insecurity and a downturn in economic growth were cited as reasons for ousting the president and his cabinet.
Ironically, the military has not proven to be a better alternative when they have overthrown civilian governments. Despite often portraying themselves as saviors of the people, military regimes have been plagued by poor leadership, authoritarianism, and human rights violations.
In Mali, Colonel Assimi Goita staged two coups in less than a year, abruptly halting the transition to democracy and appointing himself as the head of state. Teodore Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, both of whom came to power through military coups, ruled for 42 and 35 years respectively, underscoring the issue of poor leadership in Africa.
Coups can result in political instability as they disrupt the constitutional order and create uncertainty about the future. This instability can lead to further complications such as countercoups, civil wars, rebellions, or foreign interventions, which can further destabilize the country. For instance, the 2012 coup in Mali, which overthrew President Amadou Toumani Touré amidst a rebellion, led to a humanitarian crisis.
Coups frequently entail human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings, torture, arrests, detentions, disappearances, censorship, or repression of opposition or critics. These actions infringe upon the dignity and rights of individuals and groups, inflicting physical and psychological harm.
These violations can provoke resentment and resistance among the victims or their advocates. For example, the 2013 coup in Egypt that deposed President Mohamed Morsi after a year in office led to the establishment of a military-backed regime that suppressed dissents and human rights.
Coups often have a negative economic impact on a country, disrupting key activities such as production, trade, and investment. They can lead to infrastructure damage, reduced public revenues, increased inflation, and heightened debt. This can exacerbate poverty and inequality, affect human capital and social services, and lower growth prospects. The livelihoods and opportunities of millions can be affected, leading to more social and political problems.
Coups in Africa can be seen as a reflection of the state of leadership on the continent. While democratic governance is generally preferred, if conditions that justify military intervention persist under a democratically elected government, it is plausible to argue that coups will remain a recurring event in Africa. Therefore, the emphasis should be on the quality of leadership, regardless of whether it is military, civilian, or organizational.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in both government and business. It is a duty that demands vision, competence, integrity, and accountability. Leaders are expected to prioritize the interests and needs of their constituents or employees over their personal ambitions or agendas. Leadership should not be viewed as a burden, but rather as an opportunity to effect positive change in the world.