Africa’s Democratic Governance and Resurgence of Military Interventions: The Socio-Economic and Political Implications
Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
- Introduction
As a complicated narrative of advancement and regression, optimism and fear, is woven throughout Africa’s political landscape by the strands of democratic governance and military operations, the year 2023’s Africa Gala night had been prepared under a theme of ” Africa’s Democratic Governance and Resurgence of Military Interventions: The Socio-Economic & Political Implications” . It is critical to comprehend the dynamics of these factors to shape the continent’s future trajectory as it navigates the opportunities and challenges of the contemporary situation the continent is in. The core of this discussion is explored in this event report, which looks at how military interventions and Africa’s democratic goals interact and explains the wide-ranging socioeconomic and political ramifications of both.
The conference focused on the ambitious goal of developing a strong network of African diasporas committed to promoting the peace and prosperity of the continent. Considering the African diaspora’s enormous potential as a powerful force for good, our event aims to create a forum where people with different experiences and backgrounds come together, work together, and spark significant change. Through constructing connections between continents, the goal is to enable the African diaspora to take a proactive role in promoting democratic governance, peacekeeping, and sustainable development in their own countries.
Furthermore, the event aims to go beyond words and convert goals into concrete results. It seeks to provide the African diaspora’s citizens with the networks, resources, and tools they need to bring about genuine change through creative partnerships, capacity-building programs, and strategic discourse. The combined efforts, which range from promoting inclusive government frameworks to encouraging social cohesion and economic empowerment, have the potential to ignite a rebirth of African creativity, resilience, and advancement.
Essentially, this platform is a call to action for the African diaspora to use its combined agency to significantly influence the course of the continent. The African community in the diaspora has the ability to bring about long-lasting transformation and usher in a new era of hope, prosperity, and dignity for all Africans, both domestically and internationally, by utilizing our common heritage, knowledge, and enthusiasm for Africa’s progress.
- Background
The fourth Africa Gala Night Conference was held on the 30th of December 2023 at Viktor’s Residenz-Hotel Erfurt, Häßlerstraße 17, 99096, Erfurt under the theme of ”Africa’s Democratic Governance and Resurgence of Military Interventions: The Socio-Economic and Political Implications’’.
Policymakers, academics, members of civil society, and the international community as a whole must give urgent attention to this issue of Africa’s democratic governance and the rise of military interventions. Africa’s political environment has changed significantly over the last few decades, with encouraging progress made toward democratic administration coexisting with enduring obstacles caused by military operations.
- Opening Remarks
During the Gala Night, introductory remarks were delivered by Mr. José Manuel Paca and Pastor Michael Sia. Pastor Michael Sia, known as the founder of the International Mission Church in Erfurt and the Afrikanisch-Deutscher Verein für Kultur und Bildung (ADKV), emphasized the significance of discipline and unity within the African community during his speech.
Pastor Michael Sia delivering an opening remark
Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
Following Pastor Michael Sia’s address, Mr. José Manuel Paca, serving as the Vorsitzender des Ausländerbeirates der Landeshauptstadt Erfurt, took the stage to deliver his opening remarks. In his 15-minute talk, Mr. Paca underscored the importance of political participation and inclusion for Africans residing in Thüringen and Germany.
Mr. José Manuel Paca delivering an opening remark
Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
- Agenda Setting
The agenda-setting program began with a presentation focused on ”Assessing the drivers of the current wave of coups in Africa and the socioeconomic implications.”
The first part of the presentation was about the history of military coups in Africa. The history of military takeovers in African states is marked by a tumultuous period spanning from the 1960s to the 1990s, during which over 200 coups were recorded. Following the attainment of independence by many African nations around the 1960s, such occurrences became commonplace, often justified as responses to perceived corruption and inefficiency within post-colonial civilian administrations. However, from the early 2000s, a shift seemed to occur, with many observing a decline in military coups and an improvement in political stability across the continent. Despite this positive trend, recent years have seen a resurgence in attempted coups, with 10 recorded since 2020, six of which have been successful, underscoring a concerning regression in Africa’s political landscape.
Then, the presentation gave an insight into Africa’s Latest and Most Successful Coups. The political landscape of several African nations has witnessed significant upheaval in recent years, marked by a series of military takeovers. In August 2020, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali was ousted by the military, setting off a chain of similar events across the region. Subsequently, in September 2021, Guinea experienced a similar fate as the military seized power from President Alpha Conde. In October 2021, Sudan faced yet another coup, initiated by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, following a period of power-sharing between military and civilian leaders after the removal of President Omar al-Bashir.
The trend continued into January 2022 when soldiers seized control from President Roch Marc Kabore of Burkina Faso. Niger followed suit in July 2023, with the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum by the Presidential guard, and in August of the same year, Gabon saw its leader, President Ali Bongo, ousted by similar means. These events underscore a troubling pattern of political instability and military intervention in the governance of several African nations.
The presentation was wrapped up posing open-ended questions about the potential reasons behind the recent coups in Africa, including why they primarily occurred in Francophone nations and whether or not democracy failed in the continent.
- Keynote Address
The keynote address was delivered by Eric Wanyama Senior Investment Officer at Blue Orchard Finance Ltd in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr. Eric Wanyama
Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
The first part of his keynote address focused on ‘’Drivers & Economic Impact of Military Coups in the Sahel Region’’
He started his presentation by giving a Socio-Political Overview of the Sahel region. The Sahel region, spanning approximately 5,900 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, comprises 12 countries with varying definitions. The core G5 Sahel nations include Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania, while others such as Senegal, Nigeria, The Gambia, Guinea, Cameroon, Eritrea, and Sudan also fall within its bounds. With an estimated total population of around 400 million inhabitants, the Sahel region is notably youthful, with 64.5% of its populace aged below 25 years. The lifestyle of the majority of its inhabitants is semi-nomadic, reflecting the region’s vast expanses and diverse geography. While Islam is the predominant religion, the countries in the Sahel are largely secular, except for Mauritania. Furthermore, owing to the colonial legacy of several nations in the region, French stands as the most widely spoken language across the Sahel, serving as a linguistic bridge across borders in this culturally rich and diverse area.
The Sahel Region’s Economic Overview
Mali stands out as Africa’s third-largest gold producer, contributing a substantial 882 tons to global output. Additionally, the country serves as a significant source of cotton within the West African region, bolstering its economic importance. Meanwhile, Guinea holds the distinction of being the world’s second-largest producer of bauxite, with an impressive 7.4 billion metric tons. In addition to bauxite, Guinea boasts abundant reserves of diamond, gold, iron ore, and alumina, further enhancing its mineral wealth.
Chad, on the other hand, possesses the tenth-largest oil reserves in Africa, totaling 1.5 billion barrels, positioning it as a key player in the continent’s energy sector. Niger’s significance lies in its status as the world’s largest supplier of uranium, contributing 5% of the global mining output. Burkina Faso emerges as Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, while also holding substantial reserves of copper, iron, manganese, tin, zinc, lead, nickel, and phosphates, diversifying its mineral wealth. Finally, Nigeria, boasting the continent’s largest economy by GDP, serves as Africa’s second-largest oil producer, underlining its pivotal role in the region’s economic landscape.
Then he discussed the causes of the coups in these countries. The current political landscape in several African nations reflects a concerning trend characterized by weak governance and inadequate public service delivery under democratically elected governments. This environment is fertile ground for public dissent, with limited backlash following military takeovers.
The spillover effects of the Ukraine conflict have further exacerbated challenges, particularly in energy and food prices, fueling anti-government sentiment. Insecurity stemming from terrorist groups has contributed to food insecurity, compounding the challenges faced by these nations.
Moreover, inconsistent responses to authoritarian actions by elected leaders, such as Alpha Conde’s (Guinea) and Alassane Ouattara’s (Ivory Coast) pursuit of unconstitutional third terms, have emboldened military leaders. The lack of condemnation from regional and international bodies like ECOWAS, AU, and Western governments erodes their moral authority to denounce coup leaders. Furthermore, the prioritization of counterterrorism efforts over democratic promotion is evident, as seen in Mahamat Deby’s suspension of constitutional norms in Chad without condemnation from France or the EU. The US decision to refrain from declaring the military takeover in Niger highlights similar dynamics, where strategic interests overshadow democratic principles. Growing discontent with French military presence is also apparent, particularly in Niger, where civilians protest against the backdrop of a democratically elected government’s failure in public service delivery. Additionally, ECOWAS’s limited power and influence over member states’ affairs, coupled with ineffective economic sanctions due to the organization’s consensus-based operation, pose significant challenges in addressing governance issues and ensuring democratic stability in the region.
Then, he shared the impact of the coup in the region by indicating repercussions of political upheaval and military takeovers in several African nations have led to significant disruptions in both political and economic cooperation within the region and across the continent. These disruptions are evident in various forms, including travel restrictions, economic sanctions, and suspension from regional bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS, subsequently affecting participation in key initiatives like the AfCFTA. Such instability has resulted in a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) and liquidity in the banking sector, limiting businesses’ access to capital and increasing the risk of doing business within affected countries. Moreover, critical projects crucial for economic development, such as the Kandadji Dam in Niger and the expansion of oil production output, have faced setbacks due to the suspension of construction and delays caused by the coup. The depressed economic environment in affected countries has led to restricted movement of people and goods, higher inflation rates, and diminished exploitation of natural resources, further exacerbating the challenges the region faces. Additionally, the spillover effects of instability have extended to neighboring countries, destabilizing the Sahel and adjacent regions. This situation has prompted higher military spending, often at the expense of essential services like healthcare and education, and has led to a further weakening of governance structures, stifling economic growth and development while exacerbating human rights violations perpetrated by military personnel and contractors. Overall, the consequences of political turmoil and military intervention are far-reaching, posing significant obstacles to the stability and prosperity of affected nations and their regions.
He concluded his presentation by recommending feasible approaches and policies to minimize the economic impact of the coups and limit the contagion risks. In light of the challenges posed by the ongoing political instability and military takeovers in Africa, there is a growing imperative for a more cooperative stance from the African Union (AU) aimed at restoring democratic governance and upholding the rule of law. Given the collaborative efforts among the ruling military juntas in the region, it is crucial to keep dialogue channels open to mitigate the economic disruptions caused by sudden regime changes.
Reinstating deposed leaders should not be a precondition for dialogue, particularly, when the primary goal is to ensure that junta regimes adhere to their transition commitments. By maintaining open dialogue channels, the AU can play a pivotal role in shaping transition plans and facilitating a return to democratic governance. Additionally, a more proactive approach is needed to engage with authoritarian governments and leaders to prevent further coup attempts in the region and beyond. The AU and other regional bodies must adopt a vocal, consistent, and impartial stance in advocating for good governance, while also proactively engaging with democratically elected governments that may be veering towards unconstitutional actions. Furthermore, capacity-building interventions should be prioritized to professionalize the military and reduce their involvement in politics, while investments and foreign policy decisions should focus on strengthening rather than exploiting the economies of the region. Key areas for investment include renewable energy infrastructure, water exploration and irrigation capacity enhancement, and mineral exploration with an emphasis on local value addition, all of which are critical for fostering sustainable economic development and stability in Africa.
- Podium discussion
- Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
- Dinner
- Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
- Vote of Thanks
Dr Collins Adeyanju gave a vote of thanks. He thanked everyone for participating and contributing to the success of the program. The event ended with networking among the participants and lots of dance…after party.
Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
- Organizing Team
Dr. Collins Adeyanju, Mr. George Akeliwira, Mr. Gbolade Willoughby, Grigoriy “Grisha” Grigoryev, Dr. Muyiwa Alalade, Mr. Emmanuel Aduku, Ms Yodit Tamiru and Ms Tatiana Ziener.
Photo credit: Naomi Valdez Almanza
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