By Stephen Osomba

The putsch. A chillingly familiar word that evokes images of tanks rolling down dusty streets and soldiers seizing power at gunpoint. This specter, long thought relegated to the annals of Africa's turbulent past, has returned with a vengeance. From Mali's topsy-turvy political landscape to the recent overthrow of Niger's President Bazoum, seven coups have rattled the continent in just three years. This resurgence of military takeovers demands a closer look – a dissection of the fault lines they expose and the uncertain future they portend.

The most immediate trigger, often cited by coup leaders, is popular discontent with civilian rule. Public anger can fester over corruption, economic stagnation, or a perceived inability to quell insurgencies. In Mali, for instance, the military blamed President Keita for failing to contain the brutal jihadist insurgency plaguing the north. Similarly, Burkina Faso's military justified its intervention by pointing to public outrage over the rising tide of Islamist violence.

However, discontent is merely the spark. The dry tinder that allows the fire to take hold is the weakness of African democracies. Many post-colonial states inherited institutions ill-suited for democratic governance. Winner-take-all electoral systems, coupled with ethnic or regional divisions, create a fragile equilibrium. Leaders, once elected, prioritize consolidating power and enriching themselves rather than fostering inclusive development. This, in turn, breeds cynicism and fuels the perception that military intervention is the only path to change

Further complicating the picture is the legacy of colonialism. France's enduring influence in its former colonies, particularly in the Sahel region, has been questioned. Some argue that continued military cooperation and opaque defense agreements create a situation where soldiers see themselves as guardians of the state, ready to step in if dissatisfied.

The international community's response to these coups has been a hesitant tap dance. Regional bodies like ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) have imposed sanctions and pressured juntas towards a return to civilian rule. Yet, their leverage is limited, and forceful intervention is a risky proposition. The specter of protracted civil wars or Libya's descent into chaos serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls.

The true cost of these coups is far-reaching. Investors flee, jeopardizing economic growth. The fight against jihadist insurgencies, already a complex challenge, is further hampered as military priorities shift. Democratic norms are eroded, creating a vicious cycle where military intervention becomes a normalized response to political grievances.

What then is the way forward? The solutions lie not just in immediate crisis management but in fostering long-term stability. Strengthening democratic institutions, promoting inclusive governance, and tackling corruption are crucial. Regional powers need to prioritize good governance over narrow national interests. France must re-evaluate its military partnerships, ensuring transparency and civilian oversight.

What then is the way forward? The solutions lie not just in immediate crisis management but in fostering long-term stability. Strengthening democratic institutions, promoting inclusive governance, and tackling corruption are crucial. Regional powers need to prioritize good governance over narrow national interests. France must re-evaluate its military partnerships, ensuring transparency and civilian oversight.

What then is the way forward? The solutions lie not just in immediate crisis management but in fostering long-term stability. Strengthening democratic institutions, promoting inclusive governance, and tackling corruption are crucial. Regional powers need to prioritize good governance over narrow national interests. France must re-evaluate its military partnerships, ensuring transparency and civilian oversight.