Military Coups in West Africa: Causes and Solutions

Professor Gbade Ojo, who served as the Chief of Staff to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, presented a paper titled "Resurgence of Military Coups in Africa: A Panoramic Overview" at the University of Ilorin. He attributes the recent wave of military coups in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, to widespread citizen frustration stemming from economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and leadership failures.

Ojo warns that the trend poses a serious threat to democratic consolidation in the region. He identifies external interference and neo-colonial influences as significant factors fueling these coups, emphasizing that African states remain economically dependent on foreign interests.

He also notes that the historical context of military interventions in Africa, including the 1952 coup in Egypt and the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau in 2025, reflects a pattern of similar causes. Ojo urges African leaders to embrace transparent, accountable, and people-oriented governance to prevent further military interventions and strengthen democratic culture.