The recent spate of coups witnessed on the continent has triggered a number of questions including whether we are witnessing a return of coups, what explains the coups and what to make of their apparent popular support.
The recent resurgence of coups and coup attempts in Africa highlights the challenges of the African Union’s framework on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.
Political and constitutional reforms in West African countries challenges the role of ECOWAS in advancing democracy and stability in the region.
The article acknowledges that low state capacity increases the likelihood of violence in the context of climate change, and thus informal institutions should play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating violence in the absence of formal institutions.
The goal of Silencing the Guns (STG) was to achieve a conflict-free Africa and rid the continent of all wars and conflicts. Conflicts have persisted, resulting in the STG agenda being extended to 2030, in the hope that by then Africa will have cured itself of the plague of conflict.
The activities of violent extremist groups in West Africa and Ghana’s immediate neighbouring countries requires proactive, preventive responses to terrorism in the country.
Climate change can undermine peace and increase levels of violence by affecting the drivers of conflict.
Sustaining peace in West Africa requires multi-level partnerships that engage and foster robust relationships among critical actors at key levels.
From a general perspective it can be said that every actor in the Sahel is walking on a tight rope trying to achieve limited objectives, without remaining stuck in the many complexities of the local political milieu.
The alarming rate of coups on the continent are an indicator that firmer measures are required from the AU and respective regional bodies as a deterrent.