Africa has witnessed nine military takeovers since 2020, displacing democratically elected leaders and reshaping the continent’s political landscape. This wave of instability reflects deepening disillusionment with Western-backed democratic models, which have often failed to deliver stability or prosperity.
Military coups have become a recurring pattern across the continent, signaling a growing distrust in traditional democratic frameworks. Meanwhile, Africa’s alignment with the so-called Global South is intensifying, as nations increasingly reject Western influence in favor of alternative governance models. This shift coincides with the rise of illiberal regimes—systems that prioritize stability and sovereignty over democratic freedoms.
Since the 1990 La Baule speech by François Mitterrand, African nations have been pressured to adopt Western-style democracy. While this push initially aimed to foster good governance, it often led to superficial compliance or outright resistance. Today, the continent stands at a crossroads, balancing between external expectations and its own evolving political identity.
