COUPS AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

Barring any change of decision, the West African bloc, ECOWAS, will take military action against the military junta which staged a coup that toppled the democratically elected President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, July, 26th. Since the unfortunate coup , all efforts by ECOWAS and other foreign organizations to force the coupists to surrender, release and reinstate the deposed president who is being held hostage have failed. The coups which are sweeping the Sahel region, threatening constitutional democracy have become an issue of great concern. Between 2020 and 2023, four countries – Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and the Niger Republic have experienced coups. African countries suffered bloody military coups in the early 60’s and the late 80’s in their match to democratic rule. The military, through unconstitutionally means, seized power, brutally killed many leaders and truncated democracy. But with Africa embracing democracy in 90’s, coups have since become unpopular and unwarranted.

  However, despite the fact that democracy remains the best government compared to military rule, the system which provides an avenue for elections, has been muzzled and its cherished principles or values subverted by desperate African leaders. Democracy in Africa is synonymous with rigging, violence and sit-tightism. Political leaders who rise to power through the ballot box quickly turn to despots and exploit our weak institutions to elongate their tenures. Little wonder, over the last several years, military juntas in and near the Sahel seized power in countries on the African continent. This has further promoted instability, undermined democratic progress and human rights, and accelerated cycles of violence in countries already wracked by conflicts.

  Besides, there are multiple factors that are driving the rise in coups in the Sahel countries. These include: economic mismanagement, corruption, poverty, violent extremism and the failure of governments to resolve grievances over resources and progress of social justice. The recent coup in Niger and other Sahel countries could be attributed to the failure of democracy to improve the living condition of the majority. While ECOWAS and the African Union have unanimously condemned the coup in Niger, and slammed economic sanctions to force the junta 

to retreat, African countries that are practicing democracy should sit up. Democracy entails rule of law, good governance and accountability.

  Also, the extent to which coups can be deterred in Africa depend on mutual trust between the government and how it best serves its people. A key step is to establish necessary institutional structures and conditions to improve governance to forge stronger social contracts between citizens and their governments and make it difficult for unconstitutional changes of government. To achieve this, African states should promote participatory democracy and equitable development, including the youth. The AU, the UN, and other international partners must demonstrate resolve in condemning coups and support policies and institutions that help uphold democratic governance.

 Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State