Niger and Gabon are the latest African countries to suffer a series of coups in the recent years. On 26 July, the military overthrew the government of Niger, detaining the President Mohamed Bazoum (Yabi, 2023). Shortly afterwards, on 30 August, the armed forces ousted Gabon’s President Ali Bongo and took control of the state (Obangome, 2023). Other African countries, including Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, have recently experienced similar situations where military leaders toppled governments, further undermining democracy on the continent.
These putsches drew immediate attention, triggering worldwide condemnation while regional and international organisations have imposed sanctions. In Africa, sanctions are among the preferred mechanisms of regional organisations against unconstitutional regime changes. The UN, on the other hand, predominantly imposes sanctions in Africa to get desired responses to conflicts. Exploring these African dynamics provides valuable insights into how to implement effective sanctions.
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