In recent years, Africa has witnessed a resurgence of military coups, toppling elected governments and installing transitional military leaders. As of April 2025, seven African countries are under military rule: Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon. Each country’s path to military governance has its own unique history, reflecting deep political, economic, and security challenges. This article explores the background and evolution of military rule in these nations.
1. Mali: A Cycle of Coups
Mali’s political instability began in earnest in August 2020, when Colonel Assimi Goïta and a group of officers overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, citing corruption and mismanagement. A transitional civilian government was installed but faced immense pressure from the military. In May 2021, Goïta staged a second coup, removing interim President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, and officially declared himself president of the transition.
The ongoing conflict with jihadist groups, widespread dissatisfaction with governance, and a fragile economy have prolonged military rule in Mali, with repeated delays in returning to democratic elections.
2. Chad: Dynastic Transition through Force
In April 2021, long-time Chadian leader President Idriss Déby died on the battlefield while leading troops against rebel forces. Almost immediately, a Transitional Military Council (TMC) led by his son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby, seized power. This move bypassed Chad’s constitutional provision for the Speaker of Parliament to assume interim leadership, sparking allegations of an unconstitutional dynastic succession.
Although the military initially promised an 18-month transition to civilian rule, extensions have been made, and political tensions remain high as opposition groups demand a genuine democratic process.
3. Guinea: Alpha Condé’s Fall
Guinea’s military coup unfolded in September 2021, ending the presidency of Alpha Condé, who had controversially altered the constitution to secure a third term in office. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, leader of the Special Forces, led the coup and installed himself as transitional president.
Doumbouya’s government cited endemic corruption, poor governance, and human rights abuses as justification for the takeover. Despite initial promises to swiftly restore civilian rule, Guinea remains under military control with an uncertain timeline for elections.
4. Sudan: A Troubled Transition
Sudan’s complex journey toward democracy suffered a major setback in October 2021, when the military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, dissolved the joint civilian-military transitional government that had replaced President Omar al-Bashir after his ousting in 2019.
Protests erupted nationwide, with civilians demanding a return to democratic rule. Despite various negotiations and agreements, Sudan remains trapped in a volatile political crisis, with the military maintaining significant control amid ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges.
5. Burkina Faso: Two Coups in One Year
Burkina Faso experienced two military coups in 2022. In January, soldiers ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré over his failure to contain a growing jihadist insurgency. Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba initially took charge but was himself deposed in September 2022 by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Traoré’s junta promised security and reforms but faces enormous challenges in battling insurgent groups and stabilizing a deeply fractured nation. Civilian governance remains a distant goal as the country grapples with ongoing violence.
6. Niger: A Shock Coup
Niger, often praised for its relative stability in the Sahel region, fell into political turmoil in July 2023 when General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the presidential guard, led a coup against democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The coup was condemned internationally, and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) threatened military intervention, though diplomatic efforts eventually prevailed. Tchiani’s government cited insecurity, economic woes, and alleged misgovernance as reasons for the takeover, but the path back to democracy remains uncertain.
7. Gabon: The Fall of the Bongo Dynasty
In August 2023, mere hours after President Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared the winner of a disputed election, military officers announced they had seized power. Bongo, who had been in power since 2009 following the death of his father Omar Bongo, faced accusations of electoral fraud and nepotism.
The military cited the need to "restore democracy" and prevent continued dynastic rule as their reasons for intervention. A transitional government was set up, but the timeline for elections and a return to civilian rule remains vague.
Conclusion
The resurgence of military rule across Africa reflects deeper systemic issues: weak institutions, poor governance, insecurity, and lack of public trust in political leaders. From Mali to Gabon, military juntas have promised reforms, stability, and democratic transitions, but history shows that military governments often entrench their power rather than relinquish it.
As of April 2025, Africa’s democratic backsliding presents a serious challenge for regional organizations, international partners, and citizens who continue to fight for genuine democratic governance. The coming years will be critical in determining whether these nations can navigate their way back to constitutional order.
Keywords: Africa military rule 2025, Mali coup history, Chad military government, Guinea coup, Sudan military takeover, Burkina Faso coup, Niger political crisis, Gabon coup 2023, African coups 2025, African countries under military juntas.
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