Is Military Involvement in Governance a Path to Building or Restoring Democracy? an Analysis of Recent Coups d’Etats in Africa.

Rather than adopting a Eurocentric approach to the subject, which assumes a context where the democratic model—albeit imperfect—is well-established, this article examines the complex relationship between military juntas and democratic values, principles, and institutions in Africa, where democracy is still in the process of being developed. The analysis focuses on recent coups d'état in sub-Saharan Africa (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Sudan), offering a unique perspective that seeks to "decentralize" the traditional outlook on democracy.

The military leaders behind these coups have frequently justified their actions as a response to decades of authoritarianism, corruption, lack of transparency, and the absence of fair and equitable electoral processes. In essence, they have presented themselves as solutions to the crises of democracy and governance. In Guinea, for example, after the incumbent president modified the constitution to serve a third consecutive term, despite the original text prohibiting it, the military intervened and seized power. Is this action inherently anti-democratic, or can it be seen as an attempt to restore a democratic electoral process? Similarly, in Mali, after President IBK's party won the legislative elections, widespread protests culminated in a coup d'état that forced him to resign. Some surveys suggest that up to 90% of the Malian population supports the military junta. Was the coup a legitimate means of addressing popular democratic aspirations?

These events raise critical questions: Are the armed forces appropriate institutions for overthrowing an anti-democratic government? What is the role of civil society, and why has it failed to effect significant changes in governance? Can the military be regarded as a safeguard for building a stable democratic system, even when the methods used to achieve this goal constitute a breach of democratic values?