Why military coups are becoming contagious in West Africa — Ex-gov Ajimobi’s CoS

A Professor of Political Science and former Chief of Staff to the late Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Professor Gbade Ojo, has attributed the resurgence of military coups in West Africa to poor governance, weak democratic institutions and growing foreign influence across the continent.

Ojo, of the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, stated this in a paper titled, “Resurgence of Military Coups in Africa: A Panoramic Overview.”

According to him, the wave of military takeovers sweeping across the Sahel region reflects widespread frustration among citizens over economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and leadership failure under democratic governments.

The don noted that Africa, particularly West Africa, is gradually slipping back into what he described as a “praetorian trap of coups and counter-coups”, warning that the trend poses serious threats to democratic consolidation on the continent.

He explained that the inability of many political leaders to provide good governance has weakened public confidence in civilian administrations, thereby creating opportunities for military intervention in politics.

Ojo also identified external interference and neo-colonial influence as factors fuelling coups in Africa, stressing that many African states remain economically dependent and militarily penetrated by foreign interests.

“As long as African states remain economically subservient and militarily penetrated by foreign interests through the establishment of military bases, the barracks will continue to present themselves as alternatives to political authority,” he said.

The scholar further observed that the younger generation of Africans has become increasingly resistant to foreign domination and exploitative political structures, a development he said has contributed to support for military juntas in some countries.

Tracing the history of coups in Africa from Egypt in 1952 to the recent political crisis in Guinea-Bissau in 2025, Ojo maintained that the causes of military interventions across the continent remain largely similar.

He, however, urged African leaders to embrace transparency, accountability and people-oriented governance as measures to halt the spread of military coups in the region.

The professor added that strengthening democratic culture, promoting effective civil-military relations and ensuring economic development would help safeguard democracy and political stability in Africa.