Africa has seen a notable resurgence of military coups in the recent period from 2020 to 2025, marking a turbulent chapter in the continent's political history.
The most recent event occurred in October 2025 in Madagascar, where the military seized power and President Rajoelina was impeached.
The year 2023 was particularly volatile, witnessing two significant coups: in July, Niger's President Bazoum was overthrown, leading to the installation of military rule, and in August, President Ali Bongo of Gabon was ousted by General Brice Oligui.
The trend began in August 2020 in Mali, when President Keïta was overthrown. A year later, the interim president, Bah Ndaw, was also deposed.
The following year, 2021, saw two more disruptions: September brought the removal of Guinea's President Alpha Condé by the military, and in October, the military in Sudan toppled the post-al-Bashir transitional authority.
Burkina Faso experienced a multi-stage crisis starting with the deposition of President Kaboré in January 2022, followed seven months later by Captain Traoré overthrowing the initial junta. This series of events underscores a worrying pattern of political instability and the frequent return of the military to governance in several African nations.
