coup attempt - The African Mirror

Sep

2023

Burkina Faso junta says it thwarted coup attempt

BURKINA Faso's military junta said that a coup attempt had been thwarted the previous day by security and intelligence services, without providing specifics on what had happened. In a statement, it said officers and others had plotted to destabilise the country with "the dark intention of attacking the institutions of the Republic and plunging our country in chaos." It did not identify anyone but said some arrests had been made and searches continued for others. "Investigations will help unmask the instigators of this plot," it said. The military prosecutor later said four people had been detained and two were on…

Dec

2022

By The African Mirror

West Africa has experienced a wave of coups – superficial democracy is to blame

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

WEST Africa has seen coups and military takeovers in three countries in 2022. Like those of the past, they came with promises of a quick return to civilian regimes once socio-economic and political challenges had been met. The challenges are usually listed as inept governance, corruption, rising insecurity and popular revolts amid economic hardship. One view of governance on the African continent is that liberal democracy has spread since the 2000s, bringing an end to dictatorships. Most African countries, it’s argued, have multiparty democracies with elected governments. Author TEMITOPE J. LANIRAN, Research Associate, University of Bradford My own view is…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Sudan says it repelled attempted incursion by Ethiopian forces

NEWS

SUDAN’S military has revealed that it had repelled an attempted incursion by Ethiopian forces in the border area between the two countries. Head of Sudan's military, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The Ethiopian forces had been forced to retreat from the Umm Barakit area, a military statement said, without giving further details. The head of Sudan's military, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, told reporters the incident took place on Saturday. He said it showed how the military was protecting the country in the wake of a coup attempt in Khartoum last week. Colonel Getnet Adane, Ethiopia's military spokesperson, did not immediately respond…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Niger says it foils coup attempt days before presidential transition

NEWS

BOUREIMA BALIMA and MOUSSA AKSAR A military unit tried to seize the presidential palace in Niger's capital Niamey overnight in an attempted coup but order has been restored, the government said on Wednesday, days before the country's first democratic handover of power. The assailants, from a nearby air base, fled after the presidential guard met their attack with heavy shelling and gunfire, three security sources said, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media. Government spokesman Abdourahamane Zakaria said several people had been arrested while others were still being sought, but that the situation was under control.…