While much of the world is embracing innovation, science, and technology to tackle the challenges of the 21st century, Africa continues to be trapped in the quagmire of poor leadership, political instability, and recurring coups. The latest upheaval in Madagascar underscores the continent’s deep-seated governance failures.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Malagasy military seized power after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country and went into hiding. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of an elite army unit, was swiftly sworn in as the new head of state. Ironically, Randrianirina had been imprisoned in November 2023 for allegedly plotting a mutiny and coup attempt, spending three months in detention before his release.
Rajoelina’s political journey has been equally turbulent. He first assumed leadership in 2009 after a military-backed coup, stepped down in 2013, and returned to office following the 2018 elections. Mounting discontent over corruption, nepotism, high living costs, and crumbling infrastructure led to weeks of nationwide protests and his eventual impeachment by parliament, paving the way for the military’s intervention.
The new junta leader has promised an 18- to 24-month transition period before holding elections. However, given Africa’s history of prolonged military rule under similar promises, skepticism abounds. Randrianirina must resist the temptation to entrench himself in power and instead focus on restoring civilian governance swiftly and transparently.
Madagascar’s latest coup marks the third in its post-independence history. The first occurred in 1972 when protests forced founding president Philibert Tsiranana to hand over to a military council. Another coup in 1975 brought Didier Ratsiraka to power. In 2009, Rajoelina himself rode to power through military support after the ouster of Marc Ravalomanana.
The island nation of 30 million people—rich in biodiversity and known globally for its vanilla exports—remains one of the world’s poorest, with over 75 percent of its citizens living below the poverty line.
The resurgence of coups across Africa is a troubling pattern. From Mali (2020) to Guinea and Sudan (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), Niger (2023), Gabon (2023), and now Madagascar, the continent is witnessing an alarming rollback of democratic gains. Many of these coups have enjoyed popular support, reflecting deep public frustration with corrupt, self-serving civilian leaders who have failed to deliver development or uphold accountability.
Even where the military has not seized power by force, “constitutional coups” remain rampant. Leaders like Paul Biya of Cameroon, in power for 43 years; Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, ruling for 45 years; Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, in office since 1986; and Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, leading for 36 years, have manipulated constitutions and elections to perpetuate their rule.
Africa’s enduring instability is a symptom of failed governance and eroded public trust. The path forward lies not in military interventions but in strong institutions, accountability, youth inclusion, and respect for democratic norms. Until African leaders embrace good governance and prioritize citizens’ welfare, coups—military or constitutional—will remain an ever-present shadow over the continent’s political landscape.
