The latest in the wave of coupsA coup occurs when a group illegally overthrows the leadership of a country and seizes power. is the Central African nation of GabonA country on the west coast of Central Africa., where a military coup overthrew the country's longtime president on Wednesday.

President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who came into power almost 14 years ago, was oustedExpelled; forced out (from power). just minutes after he was named the winner of a contestedNot agreed upon. election in which he claimed 64% of the vote. The military justified their actions by saying that the election results were fraudulent Intentionally false and meant to harm or deceive. .

Ali Bongo's family had held power for more than half a century. But with seven coups across five countries in the past three years, nobody is safe from what is being called Central and West Africa's "coup-epidemic".

At the end of July, NigerA landlocked country in West Africa. It has a population of 25 million. 's President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the juntaA government that has taken control by force. It derives from a Spanish word meaning "council".. In January 2022 Burkina FasoA landlocked country in West Africa with a population of 22 million. 's president was deposed by soldiers, whilst in 2021 there were coups in MaliA landlocked country in west Africa, with a very young population of 22 million. and GuineaA country in West Africa with a population of 13.5 million. .

Many believe that the legacy of French colonialismThis refers not only to the material realities of colonial rule, but also to the mindset of the colonising powers and their ways of justifying empire. Most Europeans believed that empire was a moral good, because it imparted 'civilisation' to 'primitive' cultures and so helped them to develop. is to blame. As many as 78% of coups in sub-Saharan Africa since 1990 took place in French-speaking states.

Although formal French rule in Africa ended by 1962, many feel that the European country still has undue influence on politics and electoral processes across its former colonies.

And anti-French rhetoric has grown in recent years. Many see the relationship between France and West Africa as exploitativeUsing someone or something in an unfair or morally wrong way - but in a way that benefits you. .

This leaves a power vacuum which Russia has been happy to fill. Many believe that Wagner GroupA band of mercenaries operating around the world who have been accused of torture and other war crimes. mercenariesProfessional soldiers who are hired to fight in an army. are active across the continent. Mali and Burkina Faso have declared their support for the invasion of Ukraine.

With coups sweeping West and Central Africa, many worry that it is only a matter of time until the whole region falls to dictatorshipA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. . And with Russia widening divisions between Europe and Africa, many think that people power will soon become a distant dream.

Yes: The direction of travel is clearly away from democracy and towards dictatorship by force. This, paired with the growing ties between Russia and West Africa, could lead to a series of dictatorships being established across the whole region.

No: Studies show that civilians in countries across West Africa believe that elections are the best way to choose a leader. This proves that public opinion is still very much in favour of a democratic process.

Or... Many of the deposed regimes cannot be described as democratic even before the coups, as their elections were riggedThe act of arranging dishonestly for the result of something, for example an election, to be changed. or opaqueNot clear..

Coups - A coup occurs when a group illegally overthrows the leadership of a country and seizes power.

Gabon - A country on the west coast of Central Africa.

Ousted - Expelled; forced out (from power).

Contested - Not agreed upon.

Fraudulent - Intentionally false and meant to harm or deceive.

Niger - A landlocked country in West Africa. It has a population of 25 million.

Junta - A government that has taken control by force. It derives from a Spanish word meaning "council".

Burkina Faso - A landlocked country in West Africa with a population of 22 million.

Mali - A landlocked country in west Africa, with a very young population of 22 million.

Guinea - A country in West Africa with a population of 13.5 million.

Colonialism - This refers not only to the material realities of colonial rule, but also to the mindset of the colonising powers and their ways of justifying empire. Most Europeans believed that empire was a moral good, because it imparted 'civilisation' to 'primitive' cultures and so helped them to develop.

Exploitative - Using someone or something in an unfair or morally wrong way - but in a way that benefits you.

Wagner Group - A band of mercenaries operating around the world who have been accused of torture and other war crimes.

Mercenaries - Professional soldiers who are hired to fight in an army.

Dictatorship - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.

Rigged - The act of arranging dishonestly for the result of something, for example an election, to be changed.

Opaque - Not clear.