Revisiting Africa’s Military Coup and the Restitution of the Fledging Continent

Abstract

Military takeover in Africa has become a recurring incident, and a serious cause of concern to the generality of all. The reason for these takeovers has been attributed to the myriads of problems confronting the leadership style adopted by most of the African leaders in the name of democracy. Studies have shown that after the Cold War, a neoliberal democratic programme was inaugurated in Africa. It however promised to free the continent from authoritarianism and military seizure of power in favour of political pluralism and the rule of law. Coups in the continent were supposed to be less fashionable if not completely a thing of the past; and dictatorships, completely eradicated. However, the recent coups in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan have recounted the possibilities about coups “returning” and democracies “eroding” in Africa. Leaders in the West African region have often met under the auspices of ECOWAS to criminalise the act and dish out appropriate sanctions in order to make the coup leaders return power to civil rule. Some have been pressed to form transitional government, fight corruption from within, running to regional bodies etc.; these among others are believed to enshrine democratic principles. In conclusion, the paper posits that in order to gain true restitution, it's important for African nations to prioritize democratic governance, human rights, and sustainable development. This includes fostering a culture of accountability, promoting transparency, and empowering civil society. By addressing these underlying issues, African nations can work towards creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for their citizens.

Keywords: Military, Coup, Restitution, Fledging, Continent