Democratic Rollback in West Africa: Coup Contagion, Sit-tight Tyrants and Best Options for Regional Organisations

Mike Omilusi

doi:10.47478/lectio.1461009

EN

Democratic Rollback in West Africa: Coup Contagion, Sit-tight Tyrants and Best Options for Regional Organisations

Abstract

Unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) have resurfaced in West Africa, undermining decades of democratic progress. This article examines the effectiveness of intervention strategies by regional organizations, specifically the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in preventing democratic backsliding and mitigating military coups. Despite these organizations’ efforts, their strategies, including diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and military threats, have often yielded limited success. The study investigates the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, highlighting the inconsistency in sanctions application and the internal divisions within ECOWAS that hamper effective intervention. Through a comprehensive review of recent coups in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon, the study explores the broader political and economic factors contributing to instability, such as corruption, weak institutions, and socioeconomic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that enhancing democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and enforcing strict term limits are crucial for long-term stability. This study aims to contribute to the development of more robust frameworks for safeguarding democracy in West Africa, offering recommendations for regional organizations, national governments, and international actors to address the challenges of democratic backsliding and coup contagion.

Keywords

Democratic Backsliding , Coups d’état , Regional Organisations , Social Discontentment , Africa

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Regional Studies

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Mike Omilusi ^*
0000-0002-7201-9099
Nigeria

Publication Date

July 31, 2024

Submission Date

March 29, 2024

Acceptance Date

June 5, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47478/lectio.1461009

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA92UX74ED

APA

Omilusi, M. (2024). Democratic Rollback in West Africa: Coup Contagion, Sit-tight Tyrants and Best Options for Regional Organisations. Lectio Socialis, 8(2), 135-156. https://doi.org/10.47478/lectio.1461009

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-025-01155-z

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Democratic Rollback in West Africa: Coup Contagion, Sit-tight Tyrants and Best Options for Regional Organisations

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Counterterrorism or scramble for resources? Global powers and the complexity of military alliances in the Sahel

The Resurgence of Military Coups in West Africa: Interrogating ECOWAS’s Stance on Unconstitutional Change of Government