Africa has experienced a notable resurgence in military coups since 2020, with at least ten successful instances across eight countries.
These events, often driven by factors such as governance failures, security challenges from insurgencies, electoral disputes, and economic hardships, have primarily occurred in West, Central, and North Africa, forming what is sometimes called the “Coup Belt.”
The major Military coups in Africa from 2020 till date:
18 August 2020 – Mali
Ousted: President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
Coup leader: Col. Assimi Goïta
20 April 2021 – Chad
Ousted: President Idriss Déby (killed in action)
Coup leader: Gen. Mahamat Idriss Déby (his son)
24 May 2021 – Mali (second coup)
Ousted: Interim President Bah Ndaw & PM Moctar Ouane
Coup leader: Col. Assimi Goïta
5 September 2021 – Guinea
Ousted: President Alpha Condé
Coup leader: Col. Mamady Doumbouya
25 October 2021 – Sudan
Ousted: Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (transitional government dissolved)
Coup leader: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
24 January 2022 – Burkina Faso
Ousted: President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
Coup leader: Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba
30 September 2022 – Burkina Faso (second coup)
Ousted: Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba
Coup leader: Capt. Ibrahim Traoré
26 July 2023 – Niger
Ousted: President Mohamed Bazoum
Coup leader: Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani
30 August 2023 – Gabon
Ousted: President Ali Bongo Ondimba
Coup leader: Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema
26 November 2025 – Guinea-Bissau
Ousted: President Umaro Sissoco Embaló
Coup leaders: Brig. Gen. Denis N’Canha & Lt. Col. Dinis N’Tchama (High Military Command)
