Democratic Backslide and the Return of Coup Culture in West Africa- A Case Study of Mali and Burkina Faso

Abstract

West Africa was plagued by an avalanche of military coups post-independence in the 1960s. The post-Cold War era witnessed a gradual decline in the incidents of coups with several States in West Africa embracing democracy as a system of governance. ECOWAS and governments of member states have been building on this foundation to promote good governance, peace, security, and development in the sub-region. There has been a resurgence of military coups in West Africa in recent years which threatens not only the democratic gains but the peace and security of the sub-region. The objective of the study was to examine the underlying causes for the resurgence of military coups in West Africa, specifically assessing the factors motivating some military officers in Mali and Burkina Faso to stage coups in this democratic dispensation, ascertain if West Africa was in a democratic backslide due to the resurgence of military coups and if ECOWAS was to be partly blamed for the resurgence of the military coups. The study adopted the Greed and Grievance theory in explaining the research phenomenon. The study employed the qualitative method using the case study research design and relied on both secondary and primary data. Secondary data was obtained from an extensive review of literature on the research topic. Primary data were obtained from four experts who are senior officials from the Malian and Burkina Faso Embassies, the ECOWAS Secretariat, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Ghana. Findings from the study revealed that insecurity caused by jihadist activities was a major factor motivating some officers of the military in Mali and Burkina Faso to stage coups. Findings also revealed that both militaries of Mali and Burkina Faso were highly under-resourced. This resulted in high casualties during combat with the jihadist groups which infuriated some officers to stage coups. Findings further revealed that Mali had a peculiar challenge with internal ethnic unrest and external influences. The old nemesis of corruption and bad governance also persists in Mali and Burkina Faso contributing to the resurgence of military coups in the two states. Findings from the study also revealed that the recent incidents of military coups in West Africa are non representational and that there are still thriving democracies in West Africa. This, therefore, refutes the thesis statement that West Africa is in a democratic backslide as a result of the resurgence of coups in some states. Finally, the study also revealed that ECOWAS’ reactionary approach to coups and ineffective sanctions make ECOWAS partly responsible for the resurgence of coups in West Africa. Based on the findings the study recommends that the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso strengthen their democratic institutions to enable them effectively perform their constitutional mandates and prevent easy takeovers by the military. The governments of Mali and Burkina Faso should also invest in their security forces particularly the police force and the military to effectively combat the jihadist groups. The study also recommends that ECOWAS applies more punitive sanctions to coup makers to serve as a deterrent to other officers of the military with similar ambitions. The study concludes by admitting that the resurgence of military coups in West Africa poses a threat to democracy in the sub-region but at the moment does not constitute a democratic backslide. The study also concluded by noting that it will take the collective effort of governments of ECOWAS states, ECOWAS as a sub-regional bloc, civil society organizations, and the entire citizenry of West Africa to protect and advance the course of democracy within the sub-region.