EXPLAINER
Out of at the very least 242 profitable navy coups which have occurred globally since 1950, Africa accounts for the biggest quantity at 106.
Early on Wednesday, a gaggle of Gabonese navy officers introduced a takeover of energy and an annulment of the outcomes of Saturday’s election, which they declare lacked credibility.
The announcement got here shortly after the state election physique mentioned President Ali Bongo Ondimba had gained a 3rd time period in workplace within the disputed elections.
The son of former president Omar Bongo who dominated Gabon from 1967-2009, Ali Bongo has dominated the nation since 2009.
This continued management for many years has led to a “deep resentment” of “dynastic-style politics” in West and Central Africa, mentioned Tara O’Connor, director of Africa Threat Consulting.
“This navy intervention ought to actually be seen within the context of maybe the navy intervention within the neighbouring Francophone international locations, Mali, Burkina Faso and most just lately Niger,” she mentioned.
If profitable, Gabon’s coup would be the second coup in Africa this yr.
In July 2023, members of Niger’s presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace and appeared on nationwide tv saying they had been seizing energy to finish the “deteriorating safety state of affairs and unhealthy governance”.
What number of coups have there been in Africa?
Out of the 486 tried or profitable navy coups carried globally since 1950, Africa accounts for the biggest quantity with 214, of which at the very least 106 have been profitable.
Based mostly on information compiled by American researchers Jonathan M Powell and Clayton L Thyne, at the very least 45 of the 54 nations throughout the African continent have skilled at the very least a single coup try since 1950.
Profitable coups lately
Niger: On July 26, 2023, Niger’s Bazoum was overthrown by the navy.
Burkina Faso: In January 2022, Burkina Faso’s military eliminated President Roch Kabore, blaming him for failing to comprise violence by Islamist militants. In September of that yr, there was a second coup by military Captain Ibrahim Traoré who forcibly deposed Paul Henri-Damiba.
Guinea: In September 2021, particular forces commander Colonel Mamady Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Conde. A yr earlier, Conde had modified the structure to bypass limits that may have prevented him from standing for a 3rd time period, triggering widespread rioting.
Chad: In April 2021, Chad’s military took energy after President Idriss Deby was killed on the battlefield whereas visiting troops combating rebels within the north.
Mali: In August 2020, a gaggle of Malian colonels eliminated President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The coup adopted anti-government protests over deteriorating safety, contested legislative elections and allegations of corruption. 9 months later, a countercoup occurred, with Assimi Goita, who was named vice chairman after the primary one, main the second and turning into head of state.
Sudan: In October 2021, Normal Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a navy takeover in Khartoum, dissolving a ruling council wherein the military and civilians had shared energy and throwing the nation’s democratic transition into turmoil.
