The Wave of Military Coup D’état in West Africa: Lessons and Its Implications in the Sub-Region.

Abstract

Military coup was a common phenomenon after decolonization of Africa. Recounting recent happenings within the political space in West Africa, military coup has become an all too familiar subject of scholarly scrutiny, and there seems to suggest that there is a return of military coups in the sub-region. The military in Africa, and particularly in West Africa have had common reasons for coups, and the destabilizing factors have predominantly been security crises, poor economic performance, poverty, autocratic regimes, ethnic politics, detentions and convictions without trial, and corruption among others. From 2020 to 2022 only, there have been six coup d’états in Africa of which four were in West Africa, with the most recent happening in Burkina Faso on January 24, 2022. This research therefore examined the political and economic implications of military coups in the sub-region and interventions that can be put in place to end them. The study used a qualitative research methodology to collect and examine data. Both primary and secondary data sources were used, and a purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of participants. The study found that military coups weaken ECOWAS and promote unconstitutionalism and tyranny. The study further revealed that the recent coups have contributed to slow economic growth, rise in prices of essential commodities, loss of human resources and increase in refugees across the sub region. The study recommends that political leaders across West Africa should respect regional, sub-regional and national protocols, should protect human rights of their citizens and should prioritize their national security.