West Africa And The Choking Consequences Of Coup

By Bala Ibrahim.

This morning, the world was woken up by an announcement from a group of soldiers, who appeared on Benin Republic’s state TV, directing the dissolution of the government. In simple language, saying there is a coup again in another West African nation. The soldiers were quick to announce the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, who has been in power since 2016. This is not the first, the second, third or even fourth of such military incursion in West Africa, in recent years. It’s fast becoming a regular visitor to the sub-continent, which by now, ought to have commenced compiling the consequences of its choking effect on democracy. Since 2020, West Africa, particularly the Sahel region, has been playing host to the surge of military coups.

Although the reports from Benin Republic are conflicting, with regards the success, or failure of the coup, the lesson of its choking effect on the psyche of democracy can not be wished away. While the soldiers are claiming success, government sources are announcing the reverse. According to one such government source, “it’s a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure. It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.” Another source said, “The situation is under control and the coup plotters had not taken either Talon’s residence or the presidential offices.”

Whatever is the situation, the mission of this article is to highlight the dangers posed to democracy and the choking consequences of coups to the West African continent, particularly when we look at the frequency of their visits.

From 2020 to 2021, Mali was the victim. Followed by Guinea in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, while Niger Republic fell to the hands of the undemocratic visitor in 2023. Undoubtedly, the trend, which the drivers said is propelled by bad governance, insecurity and people’s discontent, is fast creating an increased state of disease on the survival of democracy in the region. And my country Nigeria, the largest democracy in the region, should see itself as the most threatened, I think. The country is yet to recover from the rumored report of a coup, few months ago.The strength and studiousness with which these coups are executed, suggest the hands of a hidden and strong judas, who may be playing the drummer to the masquerades, as they carry out the assignment of dismantling the institutions of democracy in the region.

Of special interest to me is the pattern of intervention in Burkina Faso, which experienced two of such coups in 2022. The first one succeeded in removing President Roch Marc Christian Kabore in January. Again in September, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, toppled the government and took over power. Next on the row happened to be Niger Republic, where in July 2023, General Abdourahamane Tchiani of the presidential guard, announced the overthrew of President Mohamed Bazoum. That particular coup, almost created a rift between Nigeria and Niger, two countries that have a long standing relationship, dating back to precolonial days. While widespread Islamist insurgency is accused as the immediate culprit, as advanced by analysts, many, are of the opinion that the instability is fuelled more by external economic interests, than the dissatisfaction of the public against the civilian governments.

Almost always, immediately after taking over, the constitution is the first to be suspended. Thereafter, a long shopping list of sins is released against the overthrown leaders, with corruption and poor service delivery as the lid cover of their failures in governance. It is particularly painful, that the constitution, which is often the first casualty, is always playing the low hanging fruit either way. When the civilians are in power, their appetite is directed at amending the constitution, in order to permit them to stay in office longer than is democratically desirable. And when the cowboys arrived, they also go for the jugular of the constitution, in order to deprive the citizens the right to call for their rights.

The Benin coup, or attempted coup today, is coming after the ousted leader, Patrice Talon, had approved a controversial constitutional amendment in November, which extended presidential and legislative terms from five years to seven years. This to me is unhealthy for democracy. People in power must not manipulate the constitution to satisfy selfish interests. Even if there is the need for a constitutional amendment, in favour of such extention of tenure, it must not be carried out in a way that would make the incumbent, to be the first beneficiaries. Doing that will make it impossible for them to get exonerated from being seen as self-centred.

While hoping the situation in Benin is as claimed by the Presidency, that everything is under control and President Patrice Talon is safe, West African leaders need to wake up and smell the coffee. They should be worried about this trend, especially the perceived unresponsiveness from leaders. Like the insecurity, these coups are destabilising the region, increasing the continuous presence of the khaki boys in government, depriving citizens the right to democracy and extending the culture of political uncertainty in the region.

Yes, regional bodies like ECOWAS have imposed sanctions on countries where coups occurred, but that weapon is not working, in the attempt to deter the trend. Only good and transparent governance can deter the coming of coups, which are choking the region of democratic gains, I think.