GMN INTERVIEW | Coups in Western Africa and the latest development on the coup in Niger - nbc

In recent years, the west of the African continent has seen a constant occurrence of what one may term unconstitutional changes of government through coups.

In the past three years alone, the western part of the continent has seen approximately 10 coups, with a fair share of them being successful in overthrowing democratically elected governments.

The latest is the takeover in Niger, led by soldiers belonging to the presidential guard, adding to the string of coups on the continent. As a result, the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, threatened to authorise the use of force on Niger if the coup leaders did not restore Mohamed Bazoum's presidency, while the African Union had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the coup leaders in Niger to reinstall the country's democratically elected government; however, the deadlines to re-instate Bazoum lapsed on Sunday, August 6, 2023, and the coup leaders have reportedly closed the country's air space since.

For more, GMN’s presenter, Ndapewa Ambambi, engaged Associate Professor of African Politics at Unisa, Professor Everisto Benyera, for more insight on the matter of coups in Western Africa and the latest development on the coup in Niger.