Democracy, Civilian Governance, and the Security Sector in West Africa and the Sahel

Abstract: Since 2020, there have been nine military coups in Africa, most of which have been concentrated in West Africa and the Sahel. These coups have been considered by some to attest to a crisis of democracy in the region and to reflect a global trend of democratic erosion. The erosion of democracy and accountable civilian governance does indeed pose a threat to sustainable security and development in the region. However, an opportunity-focused approach to strengthening healthy civil-military relations—rather than a crisis-oriented mindset that narrates as an encumbrance the region’s checkered political history with military rule—is warranted in light of the empirical evidence about what many citizens in African countries want today. Evidence suggests that transparent and accountable civilian governance with capable and resourced security sectors are indeed things that most citizens want from their states and governments.