The Return of the African Coup

In the past two years, Africa has seen successful coups in Niger,Guinea, Madagascar, and Mauritania. In addition, there have been a handful of indirect interventions,failed coups, and whispered threats elsewhere.

Despite the development of democratic institutions in some parts of Africa, coups appear to be once again an option when democracy seems to be failing, political gridlock has taken hold, or impoverished populations are alienated from constitutional authority.