- From Mali to Benin: Complete List of African Coups in the Last Five Years
- Mali has experienced two coups since 2020
- Burkina Faso witnessed two coups in 2022
A suspected coup attempt in Benin Republic on Sunday has added a fresh chapter to the surge of military interventions that has swept across Africa in recent years.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that although a faction of soldiers claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon, the presidency insisted he remained safe while loyal security forces worked to stabilise the situation.
The incident underscores a troubling trend of democratic backsliding on the continent. Below is an updated breakdown of confirmed coups in Africa over the past five years:
MALI
Mali has experienced two coups since 2020. Five army colonels first removed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, plunging the country into prolonged military rule.
A second takeover occurred in May 2021 when soldiers dismissed transitional civilian leaders. Colonel Assimi Goïta, central to both coups, became transitional president.
The junta cancelled previously scheduled elections for February 2024, citing persistent jihadist violence. By mid-2025, Goïta endorsed new legislation granting himself a renewable five-year term without elections. A jihadist-imposed fuel blockade in September further deepened the crisis.
GUINEA
On September 5, 2021, special forces led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya toppled President Alpha Condé.
Doumbouya has since positioned himself for civilian leadership, formally submitting his candidacy for Guinea’s December 28, 2025 election in line with the transition roadmap.
SUDAN
Tensions between military and civilian leaders in Sudan’s fragile transitional government erupted into a coup on October 25, 2021, led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
A devastating civil war broke out in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces commanded by Burhan’s former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has caused immense casualties and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.
BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso witnessed two coups in 2022. Soldiers loyal to Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in January.
In September, another military faction removed Damiba. Captain Ibrahim Traoré became transitional leader and secured approval in May 2024 to remain in power for five more years, despite a worsening jihadist conflict and no clear electoral plans.
NIGER
On July 26, 2023, President Mohamed Bazoum elected in 2021 was overthrown by his presidential guard. General Abdourahamane Tiani assumed control.
In March 2025, Niger’s military rulers extended the transition by a minimum of five years, citing unrelenting jihadist threats.
GABON
Gabon’s Bongo family rule ended abruptly on August 30, 2023, when military officers annulled President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s controversial re-election minutes after it was announced.
General Brice Oligui Nguema took over as transitional leader. In April 2025, he won the presidential election with 94.85 percent of the vote under a new constitution.
MADAGASCAR
In October 2025, weeks of youth-led protests driven largely by Gen-Z activists culminated in the military’s removal of President Andry Rajoelina.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina assumed the presidency, promising to conduct national elections within 18 to 24 months.
GUINEA-BISSAU
In November 2025, the military announced it had taken “full control” of the state, sealing borders and suspending the electoral process just three days after general elections.
A joint command structure representing all branches of the armed forces declared it would run the country indefinitely pending further directives.
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