In the last five years, Africa has seen at least 10 disruptions of democracy due to military takeovers. The most recent happened in Guinea-Bissau, where a military junta seized power and suspended elections just hours before the electoral commission was set to announce the presidential election results.
The coup has drawn widespread criticism, with several governments and regional organizations calling for a return to constitutional order.
Already, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies. Election observer missions from the African Union and ECOWAS described the coup as an attempt to undermine the country’s progress toward stability.
Meanwhile, with this latest event, Africa has experienced 10 coups in just five years, with Burkina Faso experiencing two in 2022.
Here is a timeline of coups in Africa since 2020.
In August 2020, five army colonels overthrew Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. In May 2021, the military took control from the interim civilian government.
Colonel Assimi Goita, who led both coups, became transitional president. Elections promised for February 2024 were postponed indefinitely due to ongoing jihadist violence.
In July 2025, Goita passed a law granting himself a five-year, renewable presidential mandate. Since September, jihadists have launched a fuel blockade, weakening the junta.
2. Chad
After President Idriss Deby died from injuries in battle in April 2021, the Chadian military bypassed constitutional rules, dissolved parliament, and installed Deby’s son, Mahamat Kaka Deby, as interim president.
In 2024, he secured power through a contested election.
3. Guinea
On September 5, 2021, mutinous troops led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power, arresting President Alpha Condé.
Doumbouya later declared his candidacy ahead of the December 28, 2025, elections meant to restore constitutional rule.
4. Sudan
On October 25, 2021, after weeks of tension between military and civilian leaders, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a coup.
Since April 2023, a conflict between Burhan’s forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
5. Burkina Faso
The country experienced two coups in 2022. In January, soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
In September, Damiba was removed, and Captain Ibrahim Traoré became the transitional president. Promised elections never took place, and in May 2024, the junta allowed Traoré to stay for another five years amid Islamist violence.
6. Niger
On July 26, 2023, Niger’s presidential guard overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the guard, took control.
In March 2025, the junta extended its transitional rule by at least five years in a country facing ongoing jihadist attacks.
7. Gabon
After 55 years under the Bongo family, army officers overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30, 2023, just after he was declared the election winner amid fraud allegations.
General Brice Oligui Nguema became transitional president and was formally elected in April 2025 with 94.85% of the vote, following a new constitution approved by referendum.
8. Madagascar
In October 2025, the military removed President Andry Rajoelina after weeks of “Gen Z” anti-government protests. Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in, promising elections within 18–24 months.
9. Guinea-Bissau
Since independence, Guinea-Bissau has endured multiple coups and attempted coups, making it one of the most politically volatile countries in West Africa.
It experienced its latest coup on Wednesday, November 26, when military officers declared on national television that they had deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended elections, and took control of state institutions.
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