Has Democracy Failed Africa? A Cursory Examination of Recent Military Takeovers in Some West African States

The resurgence of military coups in West Africa particularly in Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023) has reignited the debate over whether democracy has failed the African continent. While democracy is universally accepted as a desirable form of governance, its implementation in many African states has been inconsistent, vulnerable, and often disfigured by deep structural, institutional, and historical problems.
The Promise vs. Reality of Democracy in Africa
Following the wave of democratization in the 1990s, many African states adopted multiparty systems and held regular elections. This era brought hope for accountable governance, rule of law, and development. However, the lived reality for many citizens rampant corruption, elite capture, poverty, weak institutions, and election rigging has undermined public confidence in democratic systems.
Rather than a failure of democracy per se, what Africa has often experienced is a failure of democratic practice. Leaders who come to power through the ballot often behave like autocrats, weaken democratic institutions, manipulate constitutions to extend their stay in office, and suppress dissent. In such environments, democracy becomes a hollow ritual rather than a transformative governance system.
Causes of the Recent Military Takeovers
Several common themes have emerged from the recent coups in West Africa:
• Corruption and Misgovernance: In many of the affected countries, widespread corruption and economic mismanagement have created public dissatisfaction. The military often justifies intervention as a response to popular frustration.
• Security Crises: Insurgencies, especially from jihadist groups in the Sahel, have overwhelmed civilian governments. In Mali and Burkina Faso, the failure to contain violence contributed directly to military takeovers.
• Erosion of Constitutional Norms: In countries like Guinea, where President Alpha Condé altered the constitution to extend his term, coups were partially fueled by resentment toward democratic backsliding.
• Youth Unemployment and Social Discontent: The failure to deliver economic opportunities has left a large, youthful population disillusioned with the political elite.
Is Democracy to Blame?
It is tempting to equate the failure of African leaders with the failure of democracy itself. However, democracy is more than periodic elections; it encompasses institutional accountability, civic participation, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Where these elements are weak or absent, the system ceases to be democratic, even if elections are held.
The real crisis, then, is not democracy, but the absence of democratic culture and institutions. Many African states have adopted the form of democracy without its substance. The military’s return often reflects a breakdown of civilian governance rather than the inherent unworkability of democracy in Africa.
Consequences of the Coups
Though initially welcomed by some populations, military regimes have not demonstrated the capacity to resolve the underlying crises. They tend to restrict freedoms, delay transitions, and centralize power. In many cases, they replicate or worsen the failures of the civilian governments they replaced.
Moreover, the coups challenge regional and continental frameworks like ECOWAS and the African Union, which are committed to democratic governance. Their credibility and influence are increasingly questioned.
Recent Developments in Ivory Coast
As of now, there are no confirmed reports of a military takeover in Ivory Coast. However, regional tensions persist. In April 2025, Burkina Faso’s military government claimed to have foiled a coup plot allegedly orchestrated by exiled officers operating from Ivory Coast. While Ivorian authorities have not publicly responded to these allegations, such developments underscore the fragile political climate in the region.
Conclusion
Democracy has not failed Africa; rather, African leaders and elites have failed democracy. What is urgently needed is a recommitment to building democratic institutions, civic education, economic inclusion, and accountability mechanisms. Democracy remains the best long-term path for Africa but it must be rooted in local realities, bolstered by strong institutions, and nurtured through inclusive development.
The resurgence of coups is a warning signal not a verdict. It calls for introspection, reform, and the renewal of the social contract between African states and their people.