How economic depression is promoting coups in Africa — Experts

Some international relations experts have attributed recent coups in several African countries to economic depression, environmental degradation and Islamist fundamentalists in the Sahel region.

They told our correspondent in separate interviews that countries suffering from economic depression were more likely to resort to disorder, considering the negative impacts of poverty on the masses.

Prof. Ayo Olukotun of Olabisi Onabanjo University noted that Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, was not only fragile but also economically depressed.

Olukotun, who is Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance at the university, said there was a worldwide economic downturn which inadvertently hit hard on already disadvantaged African countries.

“There is little to nothing that can be done immediately to avoid disorder in such region.”

“The environment promotes coups, not to mention the Islamic fundamentalists involved in such countries,” Olukotun told our correspondent.

For Dr Mubo Akinsola, an international relations consultant, he tasked African leaders to focus on infrastructural development to tackle instability.

He said that development was a critical measure in preventing a downturn of order, adding that it would also elevate citizens from poverty.

“Underdevelopment and suffering among masses more often than not lead to agitations and when this sets in, uprisings can arise.”

“This is one of the key reasons coups are recurring in some West African nations. Leaders must focus on the will of the people and ensure that the economy works well enough to create positive impacts,” he said.

Akinsola also urged the international community to assist African nations in providing basic infrastructure to promote development and ensure that the interest of citizens are put first.