African Countries With Military Coups in the Last Five Years

African Countries With Military Coups in the Last Five Years

The recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau has brought the number of coups recorded across Africa in just five years to 10, underscoring persistent political instability in several regions. Below is a detailed overview of the affected countries and the events that led to their military interventions.

1. Mali

Mali experienced two coups in less than a year.

• August 2020: President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was toppled by a group of army colonels.
• May 2021: The military again seized control, removing civilian leaders from the transitional government.

Colonel Assimi Goïta, who orchestrated both coups, assumed the role of transitional president. Despite early promises of elections in February 2024, the vote was postponed indefinitely due to worsening jihadist attacks.
By July 2025, Goïta approved a law granting himself a renewable five-year mandate without elections.
Recently, jihadist groups have imposed a fuel blockade, further undermining the junta.

2. Guinea

On September 5, 2021, special forces led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Condé.
Doumbouya later declared his intention to run in the December 28, 2025 elections, which are expected to restore constitutional order.

3. Sudan

A fragile power-sharing arrangement collapsed on October 25, 2021, when General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dissolved the transitional government and seized control.

Since April 2023, Sudan has descended into a devastating war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and one of the worst humanitarian disasters globally.

4. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso experienced two coups in 2022:

• January 2022: Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba removed President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
• September 2022: Captain Ibrahim Traoré overthrew Damiba and assumed power.

Despite pledging a swift transition, elections never occurred. In May 2024, the junta extended Traoré’s rule for five more years amid worsening Islamist violence.

5. Niger

On July 26, 2023, the presidential guard detained and removed President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been elected in 2021.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the guard, assumed leadership of the junta.

In March 2025, the military extended its transition by at least five years as Niger continued to battle severe jihadist threats.

6. Gabon

Gabon ended the Bongo family’s 55-year political dynasty on August 30, 2023, when military officers deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba shortly after he was declared winner of a disputed election.

General Brice Oligui Nguema became transitional leader and, in April 2025, won the presidency with 94.85% of the vote under a new constitution approved during the transition.

7. Madagascar

In October 2025, Madagascar’s military removed President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of nationwide protests driven largely by frustrated “Gen Z” youth activists.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as the new leader, promising elections within 18 to 24 months.

8. Guinea-Bissau

The latest addition to the list, Guinea-Bissau, recently experienced a military takeover—bringing the total coups across Africa to 10 in five years.
Details are still unfolding, but the development has raised fresh concerns about political volatility across West Africa.

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