When military takeovers occurred in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, they were met with condemnation from various quarters, including African leaders and international organizations.
However, some people in Africa viewed these coups as a form of revolution aimed at liberating the continent from oppressive regimes. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, former Permanent Representative to the African Union Mission in Washington DC, referred to it as an “ideological realignment of economic, political, and social values.”
Gabon, which recently experienced a coup, joins the list of African nations affected by political upheaval. This coup marks the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020.
The military officers in Gabon justified their actions by citing concerns about the transparency and credibility of the presidential election results.
They accused President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s regime of contributing to institutional, political, economic, and social crises in the country.
Africans have grown increasingly intolerant of leaders who cling to power for extended periods, often through dubious means.
Several African presidents, including Paul Biya of Cameroon, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, and Ali Bongo of Gabon, have remained in power for decades.
The military coup in Gabon and similar uprisings in other countries reflect the desire of Africans to challenge oppressive regimes that exploit the nation’s resources while the majority of citizens suffer.
This wave of change in Africa highlights the need for regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to address institutional coups proactively, rather than waiting for military takeovers before intervening.
Failure to do so has led to criticism of ECOWAS and AU for their stance on coups, particularly regarding the recent events in Niger. African citizens appear determined to hold their leaders accountable for any abuse of power, including attempts to remain in office indefinitely.