The consequences of governance by military authorities in Africa: the cases of Burkina Faso (since September 2022), Mali (since 2020), and Niger (since 2023)

Governance enables a state to be led, to be stable, to be developed, and to allow the governed population to feel safe and fulfilled (consequences stemming from this governance). A state can be led either by democratically elected or interim leaders, by royal lineage, or through coups d’état. This was the case in Burkina Faso in September 2022, in Mali in 2020, and in Niger in 2023, all states governed by military authorities who came to power through coups. However, their governance models have different consequences than those that promote stability and development, and the well-being and security of a state’s population. This article analyzes the consequences of military governance following the coups d’état in Burkina Faso (September 2022), Mali (2020), and Niger (2023). This study sheds light on what is happening in these states and the consequences their populations are experiencing since the coups d’état. Many studies examine points justifying these coups (lack of sovereignty, terrorism), and some opinions are fixated on the idea that these coups are a blessing. This reveals a lack of research into what happened in these states after the coups and a lack of understanding of their consequences among these public figures. Furthermore, none of these consequences were prevalent before the coups. The study will also uncover the risks faced by a state and its population in the event of a coup. These consequences include the eviction of foreign military bases and the deterioration of the security situation; the reduction of foreign development funding; the deprivation of liberty of pro-democracy individuals; the dismissal and removal of civil servants and military personnel, and measures taken to prevent the return of democracy; and the unilateral collection of sums of money outside of legal taxation. The study was conducted using triangulation (non-participant observation, documentary research and analysis, and interviews). The article also puts forward proposals that favor the return of development, security, justice, freedom, and democracy in the event of coups d’état.