See the most recent coups in Africa

Africa has experienced seven coups since August 2020, before army officers in the West African country of Gabon said Wednesday they had deposed President Ali Bongo.

Here’s a timeline of the coups that have taken place in African countries since 2020.

1. Niger – 2023

On July 26, 2023, members of the presidential guard overthrew Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard takes over.

On August 10, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS approved the deployment of a standby force “to restore constitutional order”, but still seeks a diplomatic solution.

Niger’s new military ruler proposes a transition period of no more than three years to hand back power to civilians.

2. Burkina Faso – 2022

Burkina Faso underwent two military coups last year.

In January 2022, mutinous soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba arrested President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

On September 30, army officers announced that they had dismissed Damiba. Captain Ibrahim Traore becomes transitional president until a new presidential election is planned for July 2024.

ALSO READ: Gabonese Army Officers Oust Bongo, Declare Seizure of Power

3. Sudan – 2021

After weeks of tension between the military and civilian leaders who had shared power since the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir, the armed forces led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a new coup on October 25.

On April 15, 2023, a war broke out between Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, killing at least 5,000.

4. Guinea – 2021

In September, mutinous troops led by lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya took over in Guinea, arresting 83-year-old President Alpha Conde.
Doumbouya has pledged to return power to elected civilians by the end of 2024.

5. Mali – 2020, 2021

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown in August 2020.

In May 2021, the Malian military took over again after the civilian leaders of an interim government removed soldiers from some key posts.

The colonel vows to hold free elections by February 2024.