LINKAGES BETWEEN CIVIL STRIFE, INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND MILITARY PUTSCH IN SAHEL AFRICA

Abstract

The indirect and systemic influence of former colonial powers, along with the enduring effects of European imperialism in Africa, has contributed to intra-state conflicts, political instability, and civil strife in several parts of the continent, particularly within the Sahel and other African sub-regions. These dynamics have pushed many national economies to the brink of collapse, resulting in severe humanitarian crises. This situation has also contributed to the resurgence of military coups. Over the past three years, the Sahel region has witnessed a wave of coups détat across several countries, stretching from Guinea on the Atlantic coast to Sudan on the Red Sea. Successful military coups have occurred in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and Gabon, while constitutional coups have been reported in Tunisia, Chad, and Sudan. During roughly the same period, coup attempts were thwarted in The Gambia, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, and the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. For decades, countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte dIvoire, and Guinea-Bissau have been affected by conflict, civil strife, and economic decline. Although violent conflicts have generally declined in the West African sub-region, recent military coups in the Sahel—particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—as well as insurgency, banditry, and rising tensions in Nigeria signal the potential re-emergence of internal and regional conflicts. These developments are driven by multiple factors, including poverty, human rights violations, poor governance and corruption, ethnic marginalization, the proliferation of small arms, and, significantly, the lingering influence of European imperialism. These challenges have persisted over time. This paper argues that a poor understanding of these underlying causes will continue to plunge African countries into deeper crises and economic instability. Primary sources, policy documents, and relevant secondary and tertiary materials were the main sources of data for this qualitative analysis.