Coups make comeback in Africa
--------------------------------------
Five coup d’états in sub-Saharan Africa since late 2020 – more than at any time in the past two decades – constitute power grabs that threaten the fight against terrorism and extremism in the Sahel
--------------------------------------
SENEGAL
MAURITANIA
MALI
4 1 3 2 5
NIGER
CHAD
SUDAN
GUINEA 
BURKINA
FASO
SAHARA DESERT
AFRICA
SAHEL 
NIGERIA
ERITREA
--------------------------------------
1 Mali, Aug 2020: Coup d’état, led by Col Assimi Goïta, ousts President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (IBK, right). 
Putsch follows non-violent protests against decades of IBK’s failed governance and instability, exploited by jihadists. Transitional government appointed with Goïta in newly created post of vice-president
--------------------------------------
2 Chad, Apr 2021: Military takes control following death of President Idriss Deby after 30 years of rule. Deby’s son Mahamat Idriss Deby (inset) is declared president. Protests turn deadly as demonstrators demand civilian rule
-------------------------------------
3 Mali, May 2021: Goïta (right) seizes power, detaining transitional president Bah Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane
--------------------------------------
4 Guinea, Sep 2021: Military seizes power, arresting President Alpha Conde. Coup follows political tension after Conde rewrites constitution to allow him to sidestep two-term limit
--------------------------------------
5 Sudan, Oct 2021: Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan (inset) arrests civilian prime minister Abdalla
Hamdok and other political leaders just two years after Sudan began to transition to full civilian rule
--------------------------------------
Sources: U.S. Institute for Peace, Security Council Report Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS