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 contested election in which he claimed 64% of the vote.

The military justified their actions by saying that the election "did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot", as multiple parties claimed the results were fraudulent.

Ali Bongo's family had held power for more than half a century. A video sent from his forced house arrest showed the former leader baffled as he called for support amid the upheaval. 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, Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the juntaA government that has taken control by force. It derives from a Spanish word meaning "council". after worries arose about Islamist groups' violent attacks in the border region between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

In January 2022 Burkina FasoA landlocked country in West Africa with a population of 22 million. 's own 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. . Chad also saw a military council taking power to ensure the succession of their favoured regimeA system or way of doing things, especially an authoritarian one. .

There are innumerableToo many to be counted. theories about why West and Central Africa have become so prone to military uprisings. Some think that the instability is a result of economic concerns - a shortage of jobs, high levels of corruption and gaping inequality. Others think it is a retaliationCounter-attack. to electoral manipulation.¹

And 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. A staggering 78% of coups in sub-Saharan Africa since 1990 took place in FrancophoneFrench-speaking states. Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Guinea are all former French colonies.

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. Seven of the nine Francophone states in West Africa still use a currencyA system of money, such as the pound or the dollar. guaranteed by France. All of the recently deposed West African leaders were seen as pro-French.

And anti-French rhetoric has grown in magnitude in recent years. Shady business deals between a powerful French elite and their African allies have revealed repeated instances of corruption. 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. mercenaries are active across the continent. Mali and Burkina Faso have declared their support for the invasion of Ukraine. Pictures show joyful coup supporters donningPutting on or wearing. flags and even custom-made clothes in the Russian colours.

With coups sweeping West and Central Africa, many worry that it is only a matter of time until the whole region cedesGives in to. to dictatorship. And with Russia agitating existing tensions to promote 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 civiliansPeople who are not in the army or the police. 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 rigged or opaque.