WHY MILITARY COUPS ARE BACK IN AFRICA

Abstract

This article seeks to explain the variables which promote military coups in Africa in the new millennium. The study adopts historical research design and is grounded on the theory of Human Security. Data are sourced from secondary sources and presented qualitatively. These data are analyzed with content analysis techniques. This study identifies relics of authoritarianism, weak democratic structures, failure of democracy, and poor regional and global democratic governance, as well as indiscipline in the armed forces as reasons for recurrence of military coups in Africa. It therefore concludes that coup making could be checked and recommends the criminalization of coup plotting globally with deterrence punitive measures. Besides, African states need to address the socio-political and economic factors, as well as other human security variables which justify military intervention in their respective domains.