Comprehensive Overview of African Coups in the Last Five Years

A reported coup attempt in Benin on Sunday has added yet another episode to the wave of military takeovers that have shaken Africa in recent years.

Although soldiers claimed to have removed President Patrice Talon, his team insisted he remained secure and that loyal forces were restoring order.

Below is an updated overview of confirmed coups across the continent over the last five years:

MALI

In August 2020, five army colonels toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, initiating Mali’s slide into prolonged military rule.

A second takeover followed in May 2021, when the armed forces pushed aside the civilian transitional leaders. Colonel Assimi Goita central to both coups assumed the role of transitional president.

The junta had initially pledged elections for February 2024, but later cancelled the timetable, blaming persistent jihadist attacks.

By July 2025, Goita had endorsed legislation granting himself a renewable five-year presidential term without an electoral process. A fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups in September further strained the regime.

GUINEA

On September 5, 2021, special forces under Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya detained President Alpha Condé and seized authority.

Doumbouya later entered the December 28, 2025 election race, submitting his candidacy in early November as part of the promised transition back to civilian rule.

SUDAN

Mounting friction between civilian leaders and the military partners in a fragile post-Bashir transitional administration culminated in an October 25, 2021 coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Civil war erupted in April 2023 between Burhan’s forces and the Rapid Support Forces headed by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The conflict has caused massive casualties and driven one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.

BURKINA FASO

The country saw two coups in 2022. First, in January, soldiers aligned with Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba forced President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré from office.

Then, in September, another group of officers removed Damiba. Captain Ibrahim Traoré emerged as transitional leader and later secured approval in May 2024 to remain in charge for an additional five years, despite ongoing extremist insurgency and no clear electoral prospects.

NIGER

On July 26, 2023, President Mohamed Bazoum democratically elected in 2021 was deposed by members of his own presidential guard. Their commander, General Abdourahamane Tiani, took control of the state.

In March 2025, the ruling military council extended the transition by at least five years, citing persistent security threats from jihadist groups.

GABON

Gabon’s long-standing Bongo dynasty came to an abrupt end on August 30, 2023, when military officers annulled President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s disputed re-election victory less than an hour after it was announced.

General Brice Oligui Nguema was installed as transitional president. By April 2025, he had been elected president under a newly approved constitution, winning 94.85 percent of the vote.

MADAGASCAR

In October 2025, weeks of youth-led demonstrations driven largely by “Gen Z” activists culminated in the removal of President Andry Rajoelina by the military.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina assumed the presidency, pledging that national elections would be organised within 18 to 24 months.

GUINEA-BISSAU

In November 2025, the military announced it had taken “full control” of the state, sealing borders and halting the electoral process only three days after general elections.

A command structure made up of representatives from all military branches declared it would administer the country indefinitely, pending further announcements.