The tumultuous continent of Africa has witnessed eight coups since August 2020, with the most recent occurring in Gabon, where military officers removed President Ali Bongo Ondimba on Wednesday.
Here is a timeline of the African coups in the last 3 years.
2023 Gabon
President Bongo, whose family has governed Gabon for 55 years, was declared the winner of an August 26 election that the opposition claims was marred by fraud.
Shortly thereafter, military officers take to national television to proclaim the dissolution of state institutions and the shutdown of the nation’s borders.
Bongo is subsequently put under house arrest, and General Brice Oligui Nguema is appointed as the transitional president.
2023 Niger
On July 26, 2023, the presidential guard stages a coup against Niger’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who took office in 2021. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of the presidential guard, assumes control.
Subsequently, on August 10, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS sanctions the deployment of a standby force with the aim of “reinstating constitutional order,” while simultaneously pursuing a diplomatic resolution.
The newly established military authority in Niger suggests a transition phase of up to three years to facilitate the eventual return of power to civilian hands.
2022 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso experienced a pair of military coups in the preceding year.
In January 2022, rebellious soldiers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, detain President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
Later, on September 30, army officers declare the removal of Damiba from his position. Captain Ibrahim Traore assumes the role of transitional president until a forthcoming presidential election, scheduled for July 2024.
2021 Sudan
Following a period of escalating tension between the military and civilian authorities who had jointly governed since the removal of dictator Omar al-Bashir, the armed forces, under the leadership of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, initiate another coup on October 25.
On April 15, 2023, a conflict erupts between Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, resulting in the deaths of a minimum of 5,000 individuals.
2021 Guinea
In September, insubordinate military personnel, led by lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya, seize control in Guinea, detaining 83-year-old President Alpha Conde.
Doumbouya has committed to restoring authority to democratically elected civilians by the conclusion of 2024.
2020, 2021 Mali
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is deposed in August 2020.
In May 2021, the Malian military once again assumes control after the civilian leaders of an interim administration remove soldiers from certain crucial positions.
Colonel Assimi Goita, the leader behind both coups, has affirmed his commitment to organizing democratic elections by February 2024.