Analysts state that there are individuals in Africa who are rejoicing over the coups, while many others are feeling frustrated and eager for a transformation.

ABUJA, Nigeria — After mutinous soldiers in Gabon announced they had deposed the country’s president, many residents danced in the streets and declared themselves free from the presidential family’s 55-year rule. It’s becoming a familiar scene in West and Central Africa, which has recorded eight coups since 2020.

Hermann Ngoulou stated in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, that it reflects the widespread discontent among the people. The nation is currently facing a severe crisis in various aspects, primarily attributed to ineffective leadership, escalating food prices, and the exorbitant cost of living.

There have been about 100 documented coups across Africa since the 1950s. This resurgence of military takeovers is often prompted by diminishing democratic dividends, according to analysts.

In Gabon, the coup took place soon after the president was announced as the victor of the election. This election marked the first time that international observers were not allowed to participate.

That’s not unusual in a region where elections are often alleged to be flawed, longtime leaders pursue the extension or elimination of term limits, and civic space is eroded by misgovernance, said Tiseke Kasambala, the director of Africa programs at the Washington-based Freedom House watchdog group.

She stated that ultimately, there is a feeling of widespread discontent and dissatisfaction among the population.

At least 27, or half, of the 54 countries in Africa are among the 30 least developed in the world, according to the latest United Nations Human Development Index. Most are in West and Central Africa, often endowed with natural resources whose rich profits are little seen by everyday citizens.

Remi Adekoya, a politics lecturer at the University of York, stated that the inability of leaders to make substantial improvements in the lives of their citizens has resulted in frustration and desperation among the people.

“Africans do not view military rule favorably; it is the disillusionment with the supposed democratic governance that is leading people, if not openly endorsing military dictatorship, to not oppose it,” Adekoya expressed. “The leaders who are expected to uphold democratic principles are not adhering to them… and individuals are questioning what benefits they can gain from this system.”

According to the 2023 surveys conducted by research network Afrobarometer, there has been a decline in the number of individuals who endorse democracy and elections in Africa. Out of the respondents from 34 countries, only 68% expressed a preference for democracy as their preferred system of government, which is a decrease from 73% recorded ten years ago.

“A significant correlation” was established between the number of Africans reporting substantial corruption in the presidential office and dissatisfaction with democracy.

The study observed that the majority of participants held the belief that elections are a necessary tool for selecting leaders, despite their imperfections.

On Aug. 26, as Gabonese went to the polls, authorities cut off the internet. As service returned in the hours after the coup, the president used it as a megaphone to the world, sharing a video in which he called on friends of Gabon to “make noise” for his restoration.

Sanctions implemented on a global scale to counter coups in Africa have frequently proven ineffective, leading to increased suffering for populations already grappling with severe poverty and hunger.

Before the coup in July, Niger was ranked as the third least developed country globally. According to the United Nations, there are 4.3 million individuals in Niger who require humanitarian assistance. The sanctions imposed to counteract the coup have led to significant socio-economic challenges for the residents of Niger, as stated by Omar Alieu Touray, the head of West Africa’s ECOWAS Commission, during a recent press conference in Nigeria.

Analysts caution against resorting to military regimes as a response to the perceived “electoral coups” that enable long-standing leaders to retain power. Instead, interventions should focus on strengthening democratic systems.

“I cannot reword.”

The rebellious troops in Gabon assert that they have seized control for the benefit of the population – a commonly used statement in previous coups in other regions.

According to Adekoya, militaries have at times been motivated by what seems to be widespread approval. He mentioned that the reaction of the public to coups, and the fact that people are often seen celebrating them on the streets in these nations, is particularly encouraging for potential coup plotters.

However, military regimes have not demonstrated themselves to be a superior option for effective governance.

In Mali, the Islamic State group has significantly expanded the territory under their control in less than a year, as reported by U.N. experts. Additionally, Burkina Faso experienced a decline in economic growth, with a slowdown to 2.5% in 2022 after a strong 6.9% in the previous year, following two coups in 2020.

In different locations such as Chad, allegations have been made against military governments for suppressing dissent, occasionally leading to unlawful killings.

Kasambala from Freedom House stated that African nations under authoritarian governments have witnessed a decline in legal order, a rise in unjustified arrests and imprisonments, restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, and a lack of accountability for human rights abuses carried out by the military.

However, certain governments receive support due to external forces that are considered “intrusive,” according to her statement. She specifically mentions former French colonies like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where the perception of French interference in government affairs and the support of authoritarian leaders has resulted in widespread anti-French sentiment.

Adekoya stated that Africans who have endured years of poor governance are not demanding a lot in the end.

“He expressed that individuals are simply requesting minor enhancements to their circumstances, a slight feeling of stability, and elections that are unbiased and unrestricted. When a majority of people start to feel that ‘the system is not benefiting me,’ it indicates that the system is facing difficulties.”