Why Government by Coup d’État is Recidivist in Africa: Niger’s Counter-Coup as Coup against Nigériens

The issue of coups d'état in Africa continues to pose a significant challenge to the growth of liberal democracy on the continent. With coups being considered illegal, their recurrence becomes a perplexing phenomenon. In the case of Niger Republic, the recent counter-coup against the usurped government highlights the cyclical nature of these events.

The issue of recidivist coups in Africa stems from several factors. First, the historical ties between former colonial powers and their former colonies play a role. France, for instance, has historically supported democracy in African nations as a condition for receiving development aid. However, this support is not always consistently applied, leading to the flourishing of non-democratically elected governments.

The interpretation of President François Hollande's statement that France would stand by the Francophone community in the event of abuse of constitutional rules or violation of rights further strengthens this link.

The second factor is the refusal to learn from past mistakes. African leaders have not often reflected on previous coups and their consequences, leading to the continuation of the practice. This lack of introspection allows coups to persist as a viable option for those in power who misuse their democratic freedoms.

Lastly, a complex interplay of internal dynamics also contributes to the recurrence of coups. Factors such as uneven distribution of coup frequency, varying causes of individual coups in different countries, and the outcomes of each coup all play a role. As long as there is a complex interplay of these factors, the cycle of coups in Africa is likely to continue.