Listen to the sixth episode of the People, Power, Politics podcast featuring Mwita Chacha (POLSIS), Obert Hodzi (University of Liverpool) and Nic Cheeseman (CEDAR).
The recent spate of coups suggests that sub-Saharan Africa – or at the very least West Africa – may be entering into a new phase of domestic and international politics. Domestically, citizens remain supportive of democracy but there are signs that some are losing faith that multiparty elections can deliver. In particular, the willingness of presidents to manipulate elections risks legitimising non-democratic means of changing the government, such as military intervention. Internationally, the emergence of new military juntas in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger that are determined to protect one another from outside interventions to restore democracy further complicates the continent’s already complex regional politics, undermining efforts to foster an “anti-coup” consensus. This discussion explains these trends, and asks what impact they will have in the years to come.
Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast streaming platform or on the People, Power, Politics podcast channel.
The People, Power, Politics Podcast Series
People, Power, Politics brings the latest insights into the factors that are shaping - and re-shaping - our political world by talking to leading thinkers from across the globe. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham!
If you would like to speak on the podcast, please contact Petra Alderman at p.alderman@bham.ac.uk.
