FULL LIST: African coups in the last five years

Soldiers announce coup d'état in the Republic of Benin. Photo: BTV

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A military coup attempt in Benin on Sunday adds to a string of such incidents across Africa.

A group of soldiers announced that they had ousted President Patrice Talon, although his entourage said he was safe and the army was regaining control.

Here is a recap of the successful coups on the continent over the last five years:

Mali Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown by five army colonels in August 2020.

In May 2021, the Malian military took over from civilian leaders of an interim government.

Colonel Assimi Goita, who led both coups, was sworn in as transitional president.

After promising elections in February 2024, the military postponed them indefinitely, citing jihadist violence.

In July 2025, Goita approved a law granting himself a five-year presidential mandate, renewable without election.

In September, jihadists launched a fuel blockade, weakening the ruling junta.

Guinea On September 5, 2021, mutinous troops led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power, arresting President Alpha Condé.

Doumbouya submitted his candidacy in early November 2025 ahead of December 28 elections intended to restore constitutional order.

Sudan After weeks of tension between military and civilian leaders who had shared power since the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a coup on October 25, 2021.

Since April 2023, war has raged between the regular armed forces led by Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by his former deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Burkina Faso Burkina Faso experienced two military coups in 2022.

In January, mutinous soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba arrested President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

In September, army officers announced Damiba’s dismissal. Captain Ibrahim Traore became the transitional president, but promised that elections would not materialise. In May 2024, the junta authorised him to stay for another five years amid ongoing Islamist violence.

Niger On July 26, 2023, members of the presidential guard overthrew Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard, assumed power.

In March 2025, the junta extended its transitional leadership by at least five years in a country plagued by jihadist violence.

Gabon In Gabon, ruled for 55 years by the Bongo family, army officers overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30, 2023, less than an hour after he was declared the winner of an election the opposition called fraudulent.

General Brice Oligui Nguema was named the transitional president.

In April 2025, he was elected president with 94.85 per cent of the vote and sworn in under a new constitution approved by referendum during the transition.

Madagascar In October 2025, the military ousted President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of “Gen Z” anti-government protests.

Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar’s new president, promising elections within 18 to 24 months.

Guinea-Bissau In November 2025, military officers declared they had “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, closing borders and suspending the electoral process three days after general elections.

The military said a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” would lead the country “until further notice.”

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