By Abdul Tejan-Cole
Spontaneous celebrations erupted in the streets across Gabon as the news of President Ali Bongo's removal by the military spread like wildfire. The Bongo family's long-standing rule of 56 years had ended. This jubilation unfolded against the backdrop of a declaration of election results cloaked in darkness following days of internet shutdowns, curfews, and border closures.
Rather than welcoming Bongo's supposed victory, the citizens chose to take to the streets to rejoice in his removal. The plausible explanation behind this outpouring of support for the coup is the suspicion that Bongo had indeed lost the election but, instead of gracefully stepping down, had attempted to retain power by manipulating the results with the cooperation of officials loyal to his family.
This was not unique to Gabon. It was the 22nd coup attempt in Africa since 2013, with 11 of them successfully toppling governments, beginning with the ousting of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe in 2017. Other countries that have experienced military coups during this period include Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger Republic and Sudan.
A growing concern, underscored by the African Union and othe6rs, is the apparent upsurge in military coups across the African continent. Despite concerted efforts to tackle the underlying causes 6of these events, recent developments suggest that these endeavours have yielded limited results. The response to these emerging trends has often taken the form of pathologizing coups in Africa, with some even likening them to an "epidemic" or "coup contagion." Chidi Odinkalu astutely points out that discussions around #CoupContagion in Africa tend to overlook the unique national circumstances that shape each coup, making sweeping generalizations challenging to sustain.
Amidst these debates, Africans grapple with polarizing perspectives regarding the legitimacy and motivations of these coups. On one side of the spectrum, some voices argue that these coups serve as the vanguard of a much-needed anti-imperialist revolution, presenting them as a means to challenge historical exploitation. On the other hand, there are those who view these coups as existential threats to democracy, raising concerns about their impact on governance and political stability.
Proponents of the recent coups in Africa, like Arikana Chihombori-Quao said, have artfully painted these military interventions as the vanguard of an African anti-colonial revolution. In their narrative, these actions represent the valiant efforts of Africa's sons and daughters to reclaim what has been historically plundered by Western neo-colonialism. "What is going on now in Africa is a revolution similar to what we saw with the demise of the mighty Roman Empire, similar to what we saw with the fall of the mighty British Empire," Chihombori-Quao said in an interview with New York-based Nigerian news channel Arise TV. This wave of military interventions is a reaction to the West's ongoing "plunder of the continent's natural resources", she explained. "This is just the beginning of the African revolution, and it is not going to stop." Chihombori-Quao argued that these recent coups "led by our people" represent "children of Africa taking back what is ours" and have nothing in common with the brutal Western-led military interventions of the past.
For example, proponents of this perspective argue that the recent coups in Gabon, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea symbolize Africans reclaiming what rightfully belongs to them. They posit that these coups mark the initial thrusts of an African revolution destined to bring an end to centuries of exploitation. These proponents assert that these coups are addressing the unresolved anti-colonial liberation agenda in French Africa, effectively signalling the decline of Françafrique — a term representing France's tight grip on its former colonies. These coups are undermining the three pillars of French dominance over former colonial dependencies in Africa: (1) the presence of a permanent military force in Africa, (2) monopolistic control over African natural resources, and (3) financial subjugation through shared regional currencies, supported by the French central bank.
Nevertheless, subjecting these recent coups to careful scrutiny is crucial to determine whether they are genuinely motivated by anti-imperialist fervour. Despite the lofty rhetoric espoused by their leaders, these coups are often orchestrated by high-ranking military officers who remain detached from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. Additionally, these coup architects have demonstrated a troubling willingness to suppress dissent and postpone the restoration of democratic governance. A case in point is Mali, where the transition to democracy has been repeatedly delayed, raising doubts about the regime's sincerity.
Moreover, allegations of severe human rights abuses, as reported by the United Nations in Mali, present a starkly different narrative. These abuses call into question the anti-imperialist facade presented by the coup leaders. It appears that the use of anti-imperialist rhetoric may serve as a convenient narrative to gain legitimacy and public support but does not necessarily translate into a genuine commitment to the principles of justice, democracy, and human rights.
For example, recent events in Guinea further underscore these concerns. Just this week, clashes erupted between young Guineans and security forces on the second anniversary of the ruling junta's seizure of power. The opposition claims that at least two demonstrators, aged 16 and 18, were killed. This tragic development mirrored the days of Alpha Conde's regime when the same security forces were accused of killing demonstrators.
Similarly, in May, the United Nations reported that Malian troops, with the assistance of foreign military personnel, engaged in acts of brutality, including torture, rape and the killing of at least 500 civilians during a five-day operation in Moura in March 2022.
Around the same time, Human Rights Watch documented a harrowing incident on April 20, 2023, in which Burkinabe soldiers burned homes, looted property and summarily executed at least 156 civilians during a six-hour operation in Karma, northern Yatenga province and called on the Burkinabe authorities to conduct an independent inquiry into this grave incident.
Coup leaders are adept at employing anti-imperialist rhetoric to cloak their actions with legitimacy, yet their alliances with foreign powers belie their true motivations. For instance, Gabon's coup leader quoted French leader Charles de Gaulle in his swearing-in speech. It appears that the French Ambassador was even present at the ceremony.
While it's natural to desire an African revolution that ends neocolonial exploitation, undemocratic actions are not the path to achieving this goal. The coups in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea are not the dawn of an "African revolution" but rather a few military elites seizing opportunities for their benefit. They employ anti-imperialist rhetoric to gain public support while failing to genuinely promote Africa's independence.
Western colonialism has undoubtedly harmed Africa, but holding foreign powers accountable should not absolve these military regimes of their complicity in perpetuating exploitation. True African independence requires a commitment to human rights, democracy and socioeconomic reforms.
As the world grapples with the complex debate surrounding coups in Africa, it's essential to recognize that military interventions offer no sustainable solutions. While they may temporarily address grievances, they pose a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law and long-term development. Genuine African independence lies in upholding democratic values and fostering just and equitable governance that empowers citizens to shape their future free from oppression.
The way forward in addressing these coups in Africa is complex, but military interventions are not the answer. Instead, the focus should be on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting good governance. This requires commitment from all stakeholders, including the African Union, regional organizations and the international community. By upholding democratic values and promoting equitable governance, Africa can truly achieve independence and sustainable development.
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