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Africa: seven coups in three years
On July 26, 2023, members of the presidential guard overthrow Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021.
Residents applaud members of the security forces in the Plein Ciel district Libreville on August 30, 2023 after a group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television announcing they were “putting an end to the current regime” and scrapping official election results that had handed another term to veteran President Ali Bongo Ondimba. (Photo by AFP)
The turbulent continent of Africa has experienced seven coups since August 2020, before army officers in the West African country said Wednesday they had deposed President Ali Bongo in Gabon.
A timeline:
2023: Niger
On July 26, 2023, members of the presidential guard overthrow Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard takes over.
On August 10, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS approves the deployment of a standby force “to restore constitutional order”, but still seeks a diplomatic solution.
ALSO READ: Gabon becomes next African country hit by military coup
Niger’s new military ruler proposes a transition period of no more than three years to hand back power to civilians.
2022: Burkina Faso coup
Burkina Faso underwent two military coups last year.
In January 2022, mutinous soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba arrest President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
ALSO READ: There’s no need for coups if governments serve the people
On September 30, army officers announce that they have dismissed Damiba. Captain Ibrahim Traore becomes transitional president until a new presidential election planned for July 2024.
2021: Sudan coup
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.
READ: Niger reopens land and air borders after coup
On April 15, 2023, a war breaks out between Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, killing at least 5,000.
2021: 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.
2020, 2021: Mali coup
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is overthrown in August 2020.
In May 2021, the Malian military takes over again after the civilian leaders of an interim government remove soldiers from some key posts.
READ: Africa’s Sahel reeling from successive coups
The colonel vows to hold free elections by February 2024.
