FACT FILE: Major Military Coups in Africa Since 2020

• Africa records over 10 military coups across West, Central, and North Africa since 2020.

• Coups driven by insecurity, governance failures, economic crises and disputed elections.

• Latest coup in 2025 removes Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Africa has witnessed a sharp resurgence of military coups since 2020, with at least ten successful takeovers recorded across eight countries.

The wave—concentrated mainly in West, Central, and North Africa—has been fuelled by governance breakdowns, worsening insecurity, disputed elections, and economic hardship. Analysts now refer to the affected region as Africa’s emerging “Coup Belt.”

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Below is the full updated list of major military coups on the continent since 2020:

18 August 2020 – Mali

• Ousted: President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
• Coup Leader: Col. Assimi Goïta

20 April 2021 – Chad

• Ousted: President Idriss Déby (killed on frontline)
• Coup Leader: Gen. Mahamat Idriss Déby

24 May 2021 – Mali (Second Coup)

• Ousted: Interim President Bah Ndaw & Prime Minister Moctar Ouane
• Coup Leader: Col. Assimi Goïta

5 September 2021 – Guinea

• Ousted: President Alpha Condé
• Coup Leader: Col. Mamady Doumbouya

READ ALSO: Former President Goodluck Jonathan Safely Leaves Guinea-Bissau After Military Coup

25 October 2021 – Sudan

• Ousted: Transitional Government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok
• Coup Leader: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

24 January 2022 – Burkina Faso

• Ousted: President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
• Coup Leader: Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba

30 September 2022 – Burkina Faso (Second Coup)

• Ousted: Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba
• Coup Leader: Capt. Ibrahim Traoré

26 July 2023 – Niger

• Ousted: President Mohamed Bazoum
• Coup Leader: Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani

30 August 2023 – Gabon

• Ousted: President Ali Bongo Ondimba
• Coup Leader: Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema

26 November 2025 – Guinea-Bissau

• Ousted: President Umaro Sissoco Embaló
• Coup Leaders: Brig. Gen. Denis N’Canha & Lt. Col. Dinis N’Tchama (High Military Command)