<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

"I want to send a message to the friends we have all over the world to tell them to make noise, for the people here have arrested me. I don't know what's going on."

Ali Bongo looks straight into the camera. This week, he was announced as the winner of electionsWhen a vote is held to decide who should represent a group of people. in GabonA country on the west coast of Central Africa., a country in West Africa. 

But on Wednesday, members of the army took power. They have named General Brice Oligui Ngema as the country's new leader. This is called a coupWhen an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence.. 

The coup in Gabon is not the first takeover in Africa in recent months and years. In July, NigerA landlocked country in West Africa. It has a population of 25 million. 's presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by his own guards. 

Last year, Burkina FasoA landlocked country in West Africa with a population of 22 million. had two different coups. First, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was removed by soldiers. Then, more soldiers took power from the new leader.

And in 2021, there were takeovers 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. .

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>

Six years ago, coups were very unusual in West Africa. Every country had mutli-party rule. But in recent years there have been dozens of coups and coup-attempts.

Some think that 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. Nearly four in every five of the coups have taken place in French-speaking countries. Even though France stopped ruling areas of Africa in 1962, many people think that France still has too much power in West Africa.

Moreover, there has been a rise in the number of paid Wagner GroupA band of mercenaries operating around the world who have been accused of torture and other war crimes. soldiers from Russia in the area. Some countries say they support Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Now, some are worried about the future of West Africa. Many support the soldiers who have taken power - but they do not hold electionsWhen a vote is held to decide who should represent a group of people. and rule without asking the people what they want.

But others point out that even though the overthrown leaders may have been elected, not all of those elections were fair and free.

Yes! In many West African countries, soldiers have taken power by force. They could quickly become dictatorshipsA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. . Nobody is asking the people what they want in a clear way.

No! Most people in West Africa say elections are the best way to choose a new leader. The people want leaders who listen to their needs and wants, not dictators.

Elections - When a vote is held to decide who should represent a group of people.

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

Coup - When an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence.

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

President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.

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.

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

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