The original function of putschs and their resurgence in Africa: what are the impacts on security and economic development of African states ?

Abstract

The upward trend of putschs in Africa in this 21st century arises the question of their purpose. Historically, the putsch was a way to safeguard the State and enable the public interest to be served. The putsch was therefore an urgent and exceptional solution to eliminate a danger or remedy a disaster. Do the putschs still serve the interests of states? If they are motivated by a crisis of governance, can they be seen as a solution to the socio-political economic and security problems of the African countries ? The aim of of this article is to examine the impact of the putschs on the development process in African countries. In other words, it analyses the putschs’s capacity to respond to the challenges facing by African states. Drawing on the examples of Niger and Mali (before and after the respective putschs of 2023 and 2020), this article analyses changes in two indicators: the economy and security.