From the late 90s, the rate of coups happening in Africa declined. By
the millennium it was rare to hear about a coup d’etat in Africa.
One of Africa’s longest-serving rulers has been ousted in a coup. Many 90s babies might ask what in the world is a coup.
From
the late 90s, the rate of coups happening in Africa declined. By the
millennium it was rare to hear about a coup d’etat in Africa.
Well, in 2017 there has been a coup so let’s break it down for you.
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| Robert Mugabe took power in Zimbabwe after its independence from Britain in 1980 (AFP)
A coup is the violent overthrow of a government- democratically elected or a military regime.
A coup is usually carried out by military forces but it is not uncommon for private forces to lead a coup.
The
first coup in Nigeria was on January 15, 1966, when certain elements in
the military kicked out the civilian government led by Nnamdi Azikwe.
coup.
The
first coup in Nigeria was on January 15, 1966, when certain elements in
the military kicked out the civilian government led by Nnamdi Azikwe.
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Nnamdi Azikwe
It was a bloody coup which led to the death of many influential Nigerians such as Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Samuel Akintola and others.
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Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello(Word Press)
There
have been six successful coups in Nigeria and three unsuccessful ones.
Most coups in Nigeria were bloodless popularly known as palace coups.
In
a palace coup, the head of state or leader of the country agrees to
step aside for the military forces. There is no violence in palace
coups.
The last coup in Nigeria was on August 26, 1993, when General Sani Abacha overthrew the civilian government led by interim president Chief Ernest Shonekan.
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Late Nigerian military leader General Sani Abacha is shown in this September 1993 file photo. (Reuters)
When a coup fails, the leaders behind are normally killed. For example, Lieutenant Colonel Buka Saka Dimka was killed after his failed coup in 1976.
Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa and Major Gideon Orkar were killed after the unsuccessful coups of 1990 and 1993 respectively.
When a coup is successful, the media and airports are shut down. To announce that a coup has been successful the leader of the coup or the spokesperson of the regime announces that there is a new government in power.
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Robert Mugabe took power in Zimbabwe after its independence from Britain in 1980(ZBC/AFP/File)
During
and shortly after a successful coup armoured tanks and soldiers are
seen on the streets of the capital to ensure that there isn’t any
resistance to the coup.
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The streets around Robert Mugabe's offices were completely empty, except for soldiers and armored vehicles.(Associated Press)
Over
the turn of the millennium, coups have become less fashionable in
Africa. Due to economic sanctions from the global community, Africa had
to do away with military dictatorships for civilian governments.
The
case of Zimbabwe is different. Even though the country before the coup
ran a civilian government, Robert Mugabe had been in power since 1980.
He is 93 years old and before the coup, he was the oldest leader in the
world.
Even though coups are no longer in fashion, overthrowing Mugabe’s government was most likely the only option left.
The
successful coup has put Zimbabwe in a dilemma though. Military
governments are notorious for holding onto power for years and being
corrupt.
This coup poses a new problem
for Zimbabwe. Who will be the next leader? Also, it has pushed them back
to the dark ages of military rulers.
In a
continent where there are still a handful of leaders who have ruled for
two, three decades, are coup d’etats coming back into fashion to get
rid of them?
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