There Is a Coup Trend in Africa, and It Might Be More Serious Than We Think

There is a coup trend in Africa. This is why Africa has witnessed a dramatic return of military rule over the last half-decade, with ten coups taking place between 2020 and 2025. This wave of takeovers has raised alarm across the continent, signaling a worrying decline in democratic stability.

The circumstances of each country shape every coup. But the past five years have revealed common patterns of political insecurity, governance failures and growing public frustration.

Here is a breakdown of each affected country and the factors fuelling this resurgence of military intervention in Africa.

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Mali became the first African country to slide back into military rule when soldiers overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in August 2020. The move followed months of protests over corruption, declining security and governance failures.

A civilian-led transition was set up, but within a year, in May 2021, the military staged a second takeover, arresting interim leaders and consolidating power under Colonel Assimi Goïta.

By July 2025, Goïta approved a controversial law extending his transitional mandate by five years, effectively postponing any path to elections and deepening concerns that Mali is drifting further away from democratic norms.

Guinea’s coup in September 2021 was carried out by special forces led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who accused President Alpha Condé of corruption and constitutional manipulation after he amended the constitution to secure a third term.

The takeover was welcomed by some Guineans frustrated with Condé’s leadership, but hopes of a quick democratic transition have dimmed. By late 2025, Doumbouya had declared his intention to contest the next election, a move critics say undermines the legitimacy of the transition and risks turning the coup into a personal political project.

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In Sudan, the military seized power in October 2021, abruptly ending a delicate power-sharing arrangement between civilians and the armed forces that followed the ousting of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The coup derailed plans for a democratic transition and triggered widespread protests.

By 2023, Sudan descended into a devastating civil conflict between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces, leaving millions displaced, public services crippled, and the country’s democratic dreams shattered.

Sudan’s coup remains the most violent and severe among the ten on this list, with the humanitarian crisis worsening through 2025.

Burkina Faso experienced not one but two coups in 2022. In January, soldiers toppled President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, citing his failure to curb jihadist violence that had spread across the country.

The military installed Lt-Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba as head of state, but by September 2022, he was himself overthrown by younger officers led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Traoré, who is currently in power, suspended elections and extended the transition timeline, arguing that security must be restored before a democratic handover can take place. Reports of insurgent attacks and governance concerns continue to dominate the national landscape.

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Niger’s coup on 26 July 2023 came as a shock, as the country had often been held up as a key Western security partner and one of the more stable democracies. The presidential guard, backed by sections of the military, detained President Mohamed Bazoum and announced General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the new head of state.

Regional pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) failed to reverse the takeover, and by March 2025, the junta extended its rule for at least five more years. The ongoing standoff has strained Niger’s relations with neighbours and international allies, while insecurity continues to worsen.

Gabon’s military intervened on 30 August 2023, shortly after President Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared the winner of a disputed election widely criticised for irregularities. The coup ended 56 years of Bongo family rule and was celebrated with jubilation by many citizens.

General Brice Oligui Nguema was appointed transitional leader. Although he promised reforms, concerns resurfaced in April 2025 when he won a presidential election with nearly 95% of the vote, a result that raised questions about the credibility of the process and whether Gabon’s transition was genuinely democratic.

Madagascar joined the list in October 2025, following weeks of “Gen Z”- led anti-government protests that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. The government was accused of mismanagement and failure to meet citizens’ basic needs.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina was installed as interim president, pledging to organise elections within 18 to 24 months. The situation remains fragile, and many analysts warn that without meaningful reforms to address poverty and governance issues, Madagascar could struggle to return to political stability.

Guinea-Bissau is the latest West African nation to fall to military intervention when soldiers seized power on 26 November 2025. The military arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embalo just hours before the results of a tense presidential vote held over the weekend were due to be announced, accusing his administration of mismanagement and deepening insecurity within the country.

The military dissolved state institutions and announced a new ruling body, which appointed General Horta Inta-A as interim leader.

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One of the key drivers of the rise in coups across Africa is widespread insecurity, particularly in the Sahel region, where jihadist insurgencies have reportedly overwhelmed state forces for more than a decade. So, as violence increases, social frustration grows, and this creates conditions where military intervention appears.

Weak political institutions and persistent governance failures also play a significant role in this cause. In many of the affected countries, constitutional manipulation, corruption, contested elections, and limited accountability have weakened democracy from within. These cracks make it easier for militaries to justify seizing power while claiming to protect national interests.

Also, public discontent has further fuelled instability. Economic hardship, lack of public services, unemployment, and rising living costs have driven citizens into the streets, as seen in Madagascar in 2025. When civilian governments fail to respond effectively to crises, militaries often intervene under the guise of restoring order or meeting citizens’ demands.

There are arguments that the normalisation of coups in one country may embolden such in another, creating a cycle of instability that is hard to break without strong democratic safeguards.

To stop military takeovers, African nations need to do more than just condemn them. They must build stronger democratic institutions, improve civil-military relations, develop more effective security responses, and invest in socio-economic development.

It is also essential to engage young people, support civic participation, and empower local communities. These steps will help build resistance against authoritarianism.

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