Saturday, 15th March 2025
By a Political Analyst
In recent years, West Africa has seen an alarming regression from democracy, with military coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Supporters of these coups often cite the failure of elected governments to deliver security and services, arguing that a strong hand is needed. This raises a contentious debate: is a benevolent authoritarian “stability” preferable to a corrupt or ineffectual democracy? History suggests that military regimes rarely solve underlying issues – Mali’s junta has struggled to quash jihadists, and economic hardship persists in Burkina Faso. Yet a segment of the populace, fatigued by terrorism and poverty, initially welcomed soldiers in power.
ECOWAS, West Africa’s regional bloc, finds itself in a bind: it champions democracy and even threatened force to reverse the Niger coup, but its credibility is questioned because it has tolerated some leaders extending terms unconstitutionally. There’s a growing narrative (amplified by social media and foreign influencers) that casts these coups as “anti-imperialist” stances against French and Western influence, tapping into colonial resentments. In truth, neither juntas nor unaccountable long-ruling civilians provide sustainable governance. The path forward should recommit to genuine democracy – not just elections, but accountable institutions, anti-corruption measures, and decentralization so people feel government working.
Ghana, for example, remains a beacon of stable democracy in the region, and its development outpaces neighbors mired in coups. Stability flows from legitimacy. West Africa’s people deserve security and freedom – a false choice between them only serves those who seek power for power’s sake. The onus is on African institutions, supported by global partners, to address security and governance deficits concurrently, lest coups become normalized.
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