Could West Africa become a dictatorship? Gabon's leader has been overthrown and replaced by soldiers. It is only five weeks after the same thing happened in Niger.
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Another African nation falls to military rule
Could West Africa become a dictatorship? Gabon's leader has been overthrown and replaced by soldiers. It is only five weeks after the same thing happened in Niger.
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What's happening?
"I want to send a message to the friends we have all over the world to tell them to make noise. 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.
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Last year, Burkina FasoA landlocked country in West Africa with a population of 22 million. had two different coups.
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. Even though France stopped ruling areas of Africa in 1962, many people think that France still has too much power in West Africa.
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.
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Could West Africa become a dictatorship?
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.
Keywords
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.
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.
Dictatorships - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.
Another African nation falls to military rule
Military measures: Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso and São Tomé and Príncipe have all experienced recent coups. Glossary
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.
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.
Dictatorships - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.