Making sense of the coup in Gabon

Similarities and differences from the Sahelian coups

Dear readers, it seems like I cannot stop writing about coups and elite political instability these days! I put together this quick post because I think it is important to understand the structural challenges facing African states and societies, which in some contexts have found expression in military coups. For related content on African demographics, French neocolonial influence and its demise, and potential ways for African states to prevent or cycle out of coups see here, here, here, here, here, and here. While Wednesday’s coup in Gabon shares some important underlying drivers with those in the Sahelian states of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, it is ultimately different in kind and presents much better prospects for political liberalization and institutionalization moving forward.

I: A popular palace coup in Gabon

Last Saturday Gabon held a general election in which the results of the presidential election were disputed by the opposition and widely panned by observers as not credibl…